Colorado Rockies: Zac Rosscup may be in line for a return

The long and winding road for Zac Rosscup could be leading him back to the Colorado Rockies bullpen.

After pitching in nine games for the Rockies during the 2017 campaign (posting a 5.14 ERA, 4.02 FIP, and 1.286 WHIP), the southpaw reliever had stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. He last pitched in the Majors on July 14, 2019, walking the only batter he faced out of the Dodgers bullpen on four pitches.

A lot has happened for the 33-year-old Rosscup since then, including being traded to St. Louis, electing free agency, being signed by the Rockies, being released, pitching in independent baseball, being signed by the Rockies, electing free agency, being signed by the Rockies, heading to Triple-A Albuquerque, and dominating there.

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Yes, you read that right. Rosscup is having a renaissance year at Triple-A in 2021 and it could well land him back in a Rockies uniform.

Here is why Zac Rosscup could be back in the Colorado Rockies bullpen in 2021.

After throwing a scoreless inning for the Isotopes on Friday night and striking out two of the three batters he faced, Rosscup now holds a 0.87 ERA in 10.1 innings of work spanning 10 games. He has also struck out 14 while walking five in those outings.

With a Rockies bullpen that had a 5.24 ERA heading into Saturday’s game in Milwaukee and had a home run-filled meltdown that cost Colorado a win on Friday, another left-handed option could seem appealing.

Here’s a reminder of what Rosscup can bring to the mound when his pitches are working.

However, for Rosscup to return to the Rockies bullpen, Colorado would need to open a space on the 40-man roster. He will also likely need to show continued success at Triple-A through the Major League All-Star break and perhaps even the trade deadline of July 30 when the Rockies know exactly what their 40-man roster will hold heading into the final two months of the season.

Still, what’s going on in Albuquerque with Rosscup is worth monitoring. A veteran left-handed presence who can get outs could be very appealing for the Rockies, especially in the second half of the season.