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Colorado Rockies Hire Bud Black as Manager

By Nick Fustor

Jun 3, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bud Black (20) jogs back to the dugout during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bud Black (20) jogs back to the dugout during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Rockies have hired Bud Black as the team’s new manager.  Black previously managed the San Diego Padres from 2007-2015, leading the team to a 649-713 record.

After announcing in early October that Walt Weiss would not return as their manager, the Colorado Rockies have hired Bud Black to the position, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports.

Despite improving their record to 75-87 this season from 68-94 in 2015, Weiss’ inability to build a consistent starting rotation led to his dismissal.  Black, 59, has extensive major league experience as a pitcher, garnering a 3.84 ERA in 398 major league games.  After previously managing the San Diego Padres in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park, Black will move to the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Fortunately for Black, the Rockies finally have building blocks in their starting rotation.  After years as a top prospect, right-hander Jon Gray showed flashes of excellence last season, while Tyler Anderson, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Chatwood were all solid at times throughout the year.

Anderson and Chatwood, specifically, were among the team’s most consistent starters, as both were able to maintain ERAs under four – which is typically a challenge for Colorado starters.  Gray, despite struggles at some points in the season, pitched 11 games of at least seven innings or more, while he allowed three runs or less in 17 of his starts.

Hoffman saw limited major league action last season, but rates as the 34th ranked prospect on MLB.com’s top 100 prospect list.  His high velocity and solid control figure to make him a mid-rotation starter at worst – but if he can figure out his command, he’ll likely dominate in the future. The Rockies also have German Marquez, who is the 100th ranked prospect on MLB.com’s list – and he also saw time in the big leagues last season.

If Black can figure out a way to effectively manage the team’s abundance of young pitchers, Colorado’s offense can likely carry them to greatness within a few seasons.

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Led by third baseman MVP candidate Nolan Arenado, the Rockies scored 845 runs this season, good for second in baseball behind the Boston Red Sox.  What’s even more impressive, they scored 37 more runs than the Chicago Cubs.

With Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu next to Arenado in the infield, the Rockies have one of the better hitting infields in the majors.  The bats in the outfield are just as potent, as Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl all have solid contact-power combinations.

Black seems to be a solid choice for the job, as his experience as a pitcher could give the Rockies the expertise they were missing with Weiss.  While Black didn’t see much success in his time with San Diego, aside from an 87-win season in 2007 and a 90-win team in 2010 – which led to an NL Manager of the Year award – the Padres were lacking in talent compared to the current crop in Colorado.

Next: Fits For Cespedes in Free Agency

It may take a year or two, but Black and the Rockies have the pieces in place to finally return to relevance.

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