Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black on Kyle Freeland extension: “A great day in Denver”

The Colorado Rockies announced today that Kyle Freeland, a member of the organization since being drafted by Colorado as the eighth overall selection in the 2014 Draft, has agreed to a five-year contract extension.

The extension, which will cover the 2022-26 seasons, includes two arbitration years and three years of free agency.

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black: Kyle Freeland extension is “great” for Denver

During his pregame press conference this afternoon, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black had a lot to say about Kyle Freeland and his contract extension.

“Kyle is a Rockie and he should be a Rockie for a long time,” Black said. “I am thrilled for Kyle and his family. I am thrilled for us. I am thrilled for the fans. It’s a great day. It’s a great day in Denver and for all of us.”

Colorado’s Opening Day starting pitcher in 2019 and again this season, Freeland has compiled a 40-42 record in six seasons with the Rox with a career 4.28 ERA in 663 innings pitched covering 126 games with 121 of those being starts.

“He is a veteran pitcher,” Black said. “His stuff plays. His four pitches that he has currently play in the Major Leagues. I think that is the thing that stands out to me than from when we first say Kyle his first two-plus years.”

In 2018, the Denver native and product of Thomas Jefferson High School finished fourth in voting for the National League Cy Young Award. He is the second Rockies pitcher to ever finish in the Top 5 in balloting for the award after going 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA in 202.1 innings during the season.

“I know that he is pitching well here (Coors Field),” Black said. “He is comfortable here. There is something to growing up here, pitching where we play. It doesn’t bother him. I have seen pitchers in my career be bothered by it. He’s not.”

Freeland is 0-2 in two starts this season with a 10.00 ERA going into his third start of the season tonight against Philadelphia at Coors Field.