Scoring runs has never been a problem for the Colorado Rockies. Even this season, sitting at 40-53 in the cellar of the NL West, the Rockies are currently tied for sixth in the Major Leagues in runs scored.
The problem, once again, is in the pitching.
The Rockies rank last in the MLB in earned run average. At 4.90, the Rockies allow more than a full earned run per game more than the Major League average. They have walked the second-most batters, struck-out the second-fewest, and allowed opponents to hit .278 against them in 2015 thus far.
Seven pitchers have started at least eight games for the Rockies, and only Chris Rusin has an ERA lower than 4.00. Chad Bettis has been one of the Rockies’ most consistent starters in 2015, posting a 5-4 record with a 4.88 ERA over 13 starts. On July 19, the 26-year-old right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation.
According to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, manager Walt Weiss said the Rockies will stick to a four-man rotation while they wait for Bettis to heal, at least until their game July 28 at Wrigley Field. Sadly for Rockies’ fans, that means no call-up for top prospect Jon Gray. Gray, who was the third pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, has struggled a bit in Triple-A (5-6, 4.57 ERA), but has posted a 2-2 record with a 3.66 ERA in his last 10 starts.
Gray has the talent to be a frontline starter, but unfortunately, the 6-3, 255-pound flamethrower will continue pitching for the Albuquerque Isotopes in Triple-A. It’s time to let the 23-year-old make his major league debut.
The Rockies need to do something, anything, if they want to save the 2015 season. It’s hard to see how a four-man rotation, especially when the four men are Eddie Butler, Chris Rusin, Jorge De La Rosa, and Kyle Kendrick, will help the Rockies win.
Coors Field has the largest outfield in the MLB, which contributes to the high scoring atmosphere, and the Rockies don’t have a great track record when it comes to developing pitching talent. If they don’t call up Jon Gray, then what are they doing?
Bryce Rudnick, a Mile High Sports intern and CU-Boulder student, contributed to this report