Colorado Rockies: Who are their top 5 minor league pitchers?

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Jun 20, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of a Colorado Rockies hat and glove in the sixth inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

I asked for fans to ask questions about the Colorado Rockies minor league system and, being the best baseball fans on the planet, you did not let me down. With that in mind, we’re going to take a deep dive into the future of the pitching staff of the Colorado Rockies.

Our good friends Tyler and Clint both asked very good questions. I want to start with Clint (@Clintrnz on Twitter) who asks, “Where is Riley Pint?” And, well Clint, there’s a very simple answer to this. He’s in High-A Spokane trying to lower his amount of walks.

Being the fourth overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft, you’d expect the right-hander to make a rapid rise through the system and be pitching on the corner of 20th and Blake today. However, Pint has battled tremendously with injuries and walks. In 166 innings pitched, Pint has walked 134 batters. It’s just something that he’ll have to lower if he wants to make the big jump, because as we know, walks at Coors field can — and will — hurt you.

One of our site experts, Kevin Henry, talked to Pint during his recent trip to Spokane to see the Indians. You can hear that interview here. Thanks for the great question Clint.

Breaking: Pint announced on Tuesday afternoon that he was retiring from baseball.

Next question is from Tyler (@RoxDontRake on Twitter). He asks “Aside from (Ryan) Rolison, who are your top 5 pitchers in the system?” This question can be controversial, as that there have been a lot of up and down years across minor league baseball after a year off.

With that in mind, I am going to give you six because there are guys who easily could replace each other on this list.

Here are my personal top 6 that, again, does not include Rolison, who was discussed heavily in this article. The left-hander, listed as the second overall prospect in the Rockies system by MLB.com, was recently promoted to Triple-A and is seemingly on the fast track to make his Major League debut.

Note: All stats listed are through action of Monday, June 7

DENVER, CO – APRIL 06: Fans enter the stadium before the Colorado Rockies home opener against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on April 6, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

#6 Jake Bird — No. 29 on the MLB.com Rockies top 30 prospect list

Jake Bird has been extremely solid coming out of the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats bullpen and has been put in some tough situations that he’s inherited or created for himself. However, no matter how tough the situation, he’s found a way to get out of it with minimal damage created. His 10 games pitched along with a good era at 2.21 is enough to earn himself a spot on my list.

#5 PJ Poulin Unranked

PJ Poulin is a left handed pitcher for the Spokane Indians, the High A affiliate of the Colorado club. For those who don’t know, Poulin was an 11th-round pick back in 2018 and has been dicing up batters left and right since arriving on the scene. In 15 games this season, the left-handed reliever has posted a 1.84 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 14.2 innings pitched. He’s also struck out 28 while walking just six.

#4 Nick Bush Unranked

Nick Bush might be one of the most underrated prospects in the entire organization. He was an 8th round pick back in 2018 and has provided very good starts throughout his professional career. In 6 starts in 2021 he’s 2-1 with a very solid 2.81 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched. Nick also carries a modest .240 batting average against him.

Mar 1, 2021; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies Helcris Olivarez #73 poses during media day at at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: MLB photos via USA TODAY Sports /

#3 Will Ethridge

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The right hander out of Ole Miss was a 5th round pick back in 2019 and has shown the Rockies organization that the University of Mississippi prides itself on aces of the future. Will has been dominating in all 6 of his starts in 2021. Carrying a 3-1 record with a 2.56 ERA and punching out 32 batters in 31 innings pitched and only allowing a total of 8 walks in his entire career, this is definitely a guy to watch coming up through the system.

#2 Chris McMahon #8 out of 30

If you asked Chris McMahon about being drafted in the second round, he’d tell you he was a little disappointed to not be a first round pick. But don’t let the title ‘Second Rounder’ deter you from the fact that he’s pitched like a first round player. In six starts, McMahon is 2-1 with a 4.36 era and 1.36 WHIP. He’s been a little shaky to start his career but has been better and better after every start.

#1 Helcris Olivarez #7 out of 30

It shouldn’t be a massive shock but the lefty signed in the 2016 international class has a ton of potential to become something great in the major leagues. He’s started off a bit slow in 2021 but has begun to look a little better.

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His current line of 1-4 with a 4.50 era isn’t something you’d expect in the “Best pitcher in the system aside from Ryan Rolison” however, I have faith that Helcris can ride through these minor bumps and get back to the level he’s shown to play at.

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