Colorado Rockies: What Gavin Hollowell brings to the bullpen

CHICAGO — On Friday, the Colorado Rockies called up Noah Davis from the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats to boost their bullpen as part of his first MLB duty. On Sunday, the second Yard Goat in as many days made his way to Wrigley Field to add his name to the Rockies rookie list this season as Gavin Hollowell walked into the Colorado clubhouse.

What can Gavin Hollowell bring to the Colorado Rockies bullpen?

A 24-year-old right-hander, the 6-foot-7 Hollowell was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB draft. This season for Hartford, Hollowell struck out 64 in 48.2 innings, earning 16 saves and posting a 3.14 ERA as opponents hit .179 against him.

Hollowell comes to the Colorado bullpen after posting a solid stretch in July and August, registering a 1.56 ERA and 23 strikeouts while allowing just four walks in 17.1 innings.

“My fastball command was there. I was landing pitches for strikes and just attacking the zone,” Hollowell said.

Hollowell was drawing looks from Rockies coaches in spring training this year, and the call-up gives Bud Black and others the chance to see more of his stuff as the season winds down.

Added to the 40-man roster along with his call-up, Hollowell said that his slider is his “go-to” pitch, adding another slider-heavy component to a Rockies bullpen already flush with Dinelson Lamet, Justin Lawrence, and Daniel Bard.

“I can command it pretty much where I need it to be, so that’s my go-to pitch,” Hollowell said.

Davis said that the slider is a pitch that has been a weapon for Hollowell when the duo were with the Yard Goats this season.

“He has really good stuff and throws up in the zone,” Davis said. “I’ve been able to watch him for a few months now and I was telling some of these guys when I heard he was coming that it seemed like it was automatic every time he came into a game for us and we had the lead. We were in and out of there in a couple of minutes. No funny business whatsoever.”