Colorado Rockies: What are the next steps for Ryan Rolison?

There is no guarantee that there will be a “normal” minor league season in 2021. With so many uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, there is much still up in the air about what might lie ahead for Colorado’s prospects. However, if the season can be played, where might Rolison start the season?

“It’s easy from a fan perspective to go, ‘He’s our most widely known pitching prospect. When’s he gonna be in the big leagues?’ I think we just have to remember that he has some experience he can gain skill in those upper levels,” Wilson said. “He’s advanced in a lot of ways, which means maybe those upper levels will move a little more quickly for him. Maybe they won’t. We’ll have to see what the path looks like.”

That path, however, could start in a number of places for Rolison following 2021 spring training. However, with the Rockies having a Major League rotation that is seemingly set, there is time for Rolison to progress through the minors and learn.

“As he starts to get those Double-A and Triple-A innings under his belt, it will be important. But I don’t know where he is going to end up after camp next year,” Wilson said. “Could he start at Double-A? Sure, he hasn’t pitched there yet. Could he start in Triple-A because of some of those natural advancements and some of the things he has improved on in those first two years here? Yeah, he might. But I think we just have to temper expectations and know that he still has some things to do and learn.”

Note: This is the second in a series of interviews with Wilson about some of Colorado’s most interesting prospects. Check out his thoughts on Colorado’s 2020 top draft pick Zac Veen here.