Colorado Rockies: Germán Márquez breaks down his 2021 season

Germán Márquez was merely a spectator for the last Colorado Rockies series of the season. After making his last start of the season at Coors Field against the Washington Nationals on September 27, the 26-year-old right-hander watched as the Rockies finished the season with three games in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.

With Márquez not in the rotation for the Arizona series and simply playing the role of supporting teammate, he admitted he had already turned the page to next season.

“I’m getting my mind ready for next year,” Márquez said as he watched his Colorado Rockies teammates go through warmups inside Chase Field. “It’s kind of weird, but I’m still working.”

Márquez finished 2021 with a 12-11 mark and 4.40 ERA in 32 starts. His 180.0 innings finished just outside the top 10 in the National League, but his three complete games tied for the most in the NL.

Those numbers, however, including a second half that has Márquez already ready for next season. While he logged a 3.36 ERA (with opponents hitting .212 against him) before making his first-ever All-Star Game appearance, those numbers changed dramatically in the second half, jumping up to a 6.12 ERA and .285 batting average against.

Before the All-Star Game, Márquez surrendered eight homers in 112.1 innings pitched. After the All-Star Game, opponents teed off 13 times in 67.2 innings.

What Colorado Rockies pitcher Germán Márquez said he is focused on for next season already

Márquez said that fastball location and inconsistencies in his delivery hurt him in the second half.

“I have to be more consistent,” Márquez said. “The tempo, the timing, I have to work on that. I have to remind myself to keep the tempo and timing consistent in every game.”

Colorado manager Bud Black talked about Márquez after his final start of the 2021 season and what he’ll need to do to continue to improve in his career.

No matter the time of year in 2021, however, Márquez was solid when he took the mound at Coors Field. In 18 home starts, the Venezuela native posted a 3.67 ERA, significantly lower than his 5.38 ERA away from Denver in 14 starts.

Those home numbers, by the way, included a one-hit shutout of Pittsburgh on June 29 where he needed just 92 pitches to help the Rockies to an easy 8-0 win.

So what are the offseason goals for Márquez?

“Work to be healthy,” he said. “Come back next year, feel healthy, and be ready.”