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5 Colorado Rockies who could benefit from Opening Day expanded rosters

By Noah Yingling

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 04: Pitcher Justin Lawrence #61 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during game two of a double header at Coors Field on May 04, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 04: Pitcher Justin Lawrence #61 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during game two of a double header at Coors Field on May 04, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Ben Bowden of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – APRIL 2: Ben Bowden #51 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Bowden is making his Major League debut. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Ben Bowden would provide them with another lefty reliever

Ben Bowden struggled throughout the 2021 season for the Colorado Rockies. He struggled at home, on the road, against lefties, and against righties. But he did have some bad luck

In 39 games, he had a 6.56 ERA with an ERA+ of 73 but his FIP was 4.85. His problems were that he allowed a lot of hits (11.1 H/9) and his control (5.3 BB/9) but he struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings, showing that he could be a good option for the team if he can get his mechanics together.

He would also provide the team with a second (or third) left-handed reliever but without the expanded rosters, he might be in the minors since he has minor league options remaining.

Justin Lawrence is a reliever in the same boat as Ben Bowden

Like Ben Bowden, Justin Lawrence made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Colorado Rockies and he had some struggles.

In 19 games, he had an 8.64 ERA but, like Bowden, he had a much better FIP of 4.55, suggesting some bad luck. He also had some serious control problems (10.3 BB/9) and allowed a lot of hits (11.3 H/9) but with his three-quarters/sidearm delivery and velocity, he generated a lot of groundballs in the majors and in the minors.

Next. The 28-man roster could make dilemma with the lineup, bench. dark

That’s something that could lead to some great success with the Rockies … if he can control the ball. In Triple-A in 2021, he walked 3.3 per nine innings and had a groundball rate that was higher than 60 percent. If he could generate that at the MLB level, then the Rockies would have a great reliever but right now, he is borderline for making the team with the 28-man roster.

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