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What pitchers the Colorado Rockies should sign, according to analytics

By Nathaniel Sunshine

Sep 4, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim (33) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim (33) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on October 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on October 01, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Here are the top 10 pitchers, in terms of analytics, to join the Colorado Rockies rotation

10. Carlos Rodon

9. Jhoulys Chacin

8. Steven Matz

7. Jon Gray

6. Kwang Hyun Kim

5. Corey Kluber

4. Alex Wood

3. Clayton Kershaw

2. Eduardo Rodriguez

1. Alex Cobb

Well, the good news is that the Colorado Rockies have already signed one pitcher off of this list. The unfortunate news is that pitcher is not Jon Gray and they have been transitioning to the bullpen the past few seasons. That pitcher, of course, is Rockies legend Jhoulys Chacin. Yes, I stand by that legend title. Chacin has the fourth-most WAR and second-lowest ERA in Colorado Rockies franchise history. The highs of his career have passed, but the analytics show Chacin is still built for altitude. He played well this year and I am excited to see him back for 2022. I just wish Jon Gray would come back with him.

As far as who else the Rockies should sign for 2022, there are some very expensive names on that list that I am sure they want nothing to do with Coors Field. With that in mind, I think it would be reasonable for the team to make a play at both number 1 and number 6 on the list. Kwang Hyun Kim has a good GB%, but his selling point is his low HH%. However, he doesn’t throw many strikeouts. Alex Cobb, on the other hand, is the total package. He has a nice low HH% and a good SO%, but a great GB% and great HR%. Both show potential to become great Colorado pitchers, with Kwang Hyun Kim reminding me of a certain German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela. Both Kwang and Cobb could be relatively affordable options to join the rotation in lieu of Gray and Gonzalez.

Examining the fit between Mark Melancon and the Rockies. dark. Next

In conclusion, if you are reading this Dick Monfort/Bill Schmidt, go hard on signing Jon Gray, Kwang Hyun Kim, or Alex Cobb. They are reasonable and their analytics show the potential to be great. Please don’t resign Gonzalez. He may be good in the long run, but his style doesn’t work at Coors. And finally, I know you probably already have a contract in hand, but, whatever you do, please don’t sign Ervin Santana.

Note: Data for this article was found using Baseball Reference, Wikipedia, and MLB.com

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