The Colorado Rockies are in a transitional phase. They are searching for a new identity as names like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez both get older and appear in trade rumors every passing week. This week’s release of staff “ace” Jhoulys Chacin has opened the door for their future.
While No. 2 prospect Eddie Butler may still be a little ways away, the Rockies’ top prospect Jon Gray, and Grading on the Curve’s No. 20 overall, is making a strong case to break camp in the Opening Day rotation. Chacin’s release opened the door, perhaps intentionally, for Gray to make his claim on the rotation, and thus far in Spring Training, he has certainly done enough to impress.
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The 23-year old right hander has seemingly gotten stronger as the spring has progressed. This is very much unlike his top pitching prospect cohorts, like Carlos Rodon and Henry Owens, who have seen hot starts fade as Major League batters have been getting more comfortable. Gray has pitched 13 innings over 5 appearances, two of which were starts. He has allowed three runs (for a 2.08 ERA), but his peripherals have been fantastic.
Gray has struck out 9 batters in his 13 innings while walking a mere one. He has limited opposing teams to a .224 batting average and a 0.92 WHIP. Yesterday was Gray’s finest outing, as he blanked the Brewers over four innings. His poise in the first inning showed that he indeed is ready for the big leagues.
With a new opening in the @Rockies rotation, look what top prospect Jon Gray did today: http://t.co/qBYkCvqV4v pic.twitter.com/bDoOcZqM92
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 23, 2015
After allowing a lead off single to Carlos Gomez, Gray turned and picked him off at first base. He then rifled six straight strikes for back-to-back strikeouts of Scooter Gennett and Ryan Braun to end the inning. He would allow two hits while walking none and striking out two Brewers before his day came to a close.
Gray’s signature pitch, like most top pitching prospects, is his fastball. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft has hit triple digits with his fastball, but consistently hits in the upper 90s. He has a power slider and a sinking changeup that he adds to his three pitch arsenal. While the change needs some fine tuning and he needs to be more consistent in both his delivery and command, Gray appears ready to take the next step. He doesn’t have much left to accomplish on the farm.
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The Rockies pitching staff is nothing pretty. Jorge De La Rosa appears to be the ace. He is followed by Phillies castoff Kyle Kendrick, Jordan Lyles and Tyler Matzek, who actually finished last season on a promising note. It isn’t so far fetched to think that Gray and Butler can sky rocket up this rotation by midseason with strong starts.
The Rockies have the unfortunate task of rebuilding in a division that has three of baseballs top power houses. While they won’t compete this year, they are slowly putting the pieces in place. With Nolan Arenado at third base and Gray now ready to anchor the rotation, the Rockies’ future is taking baby steps to looking a lot brighter.