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Colorado Rockies starting rotation: Is it the best in franchise history?

By Nathaniel Sunshine

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 20: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Coors Field on April 20, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 20: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Coors Field on April 20, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Ritz of the Colorado Rockies
16 May 1998: Pitcher Kevin Ritz of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Brewers won the game, 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /

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I know everyone will ask me for the five worst rotations in Rockies history, so here they are.

You could probably guess some of these. From rank 25 to 29, we have 2003, 1993, 2004, 1999, and 1996.

Now, I know some red flags just came up because the Rockies’ first postseason rotation is on the list, but remember one thing, that was the years of the Blake Street Bombers. The offense that year was so insanely high-powered that, despite being in the bottom 10 for five of the six categories, their rotation’s W% was actually the 7th best in franchise history.

These were teams led by Kevin Ritz, Armando Reynoso, and Shawn Estes as their aces. They were just simply not built to be the heart of the team like they are now, so I highly doubt that by the end of the season the 2021 rotation will fall this low. (Here is the link to my spreadsheet where I have the full data).

Kevin Ritz is also one of only four guys in MLB history to make 130 or more MLB starts and have an ERA of 5.20 or higher in his career (two of the other three are former Rockies Jordan Lyles and Scott Elarton) so that tells you about the rotations anchored by Ritz there.

In conclusion, the 2021 Colorado Rockies Starting Rotation has potential. While the walking problem is currently holding them back from the lofty expectations that some had of them this year, the rotation looks very good. The injured Kyle Freeland returning could be the last piece that can put the rotation over the edge. As the season goes on, it will be nice to continue to watch this unit grow and hopefully continue to do what they have been good at, aside from walking batters.

Next. How the Rockies are using their taxi squad in 2021. dark

Data for this article was found using Baseball-Reference and MLB.com

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