With just a few days left in May, the Colorado Rockies find themselves in a bit of a conundrum. With a record of 6-19 for the month and a run differential of -70, the Rockies are looking much more like the bad and rebuilding team we expected them to be compared to a relatively successful April.
On top of that, the team’s depth has started to be tested. The Rockies have lost multiple pitchers and position players to injury this month. Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak, and Brenton Doyle, Chase Dollander,
Victor Vodnik, José Quintana, and Jimmy Herget have all landed on the injured list in May. While there have been a few call-ups like Sterlin Thompson, Chad Stevens, and Welinton Herrera, the Rockies seem unlikely to call up any of their top prospects like Charlie Condon or Cole Carrigg.
With that being said, the team might need some reinforcements from outside the organization to help find their footing. Here are some options that might be worth considering:
Andrew McCutchen
They say Father Time is undefeated, and the beginning of Andrew McCutchen’s age 39 season hasn’t been a great one. After playing fairly well with his Pittsburgh Pirates last season, McCutchen was allowed to walk as the Pirates aimed to get younger. McCutchen signed on with the Texas Rangers and made their Opening Day Roster, but has struggled in limited playing time. In 83 plate appearances he has hit just .192/.277/.260 with one home run and a 62 OPS+ before being designated for assignment earlier this week.
McCutchen is by no means a permanent or long-term solution, but if the storied veteran has any gas left in the tank, he could be a low-risk move for a right-handed designated hitter on a team that has been struggling to score runs.
Bailey Falter
No matter how you feel about Kyle Freeland, I think everyone can agree that something isn’t right with the veteran lefty since he returned from the injured list. Since being activated from the 15-day IL with a sore left shoulder, Freeland has struggled immensely in 26.2 innings of work. He has an ERA of 11.48, a FIP of 7.73—which indicates that although his ERA is inflated during that time, he is still pitching poorly.
Freeland is struggling to get velocity in his four-seam fastball and struggling to place his other offerings. While he does have 26 strikeouts since returning, he also has ten walks and has given up 11 home runs. Before his injury he had a 2.30 ERA and had given up just one home run.
I would argue Freeland needs to return to the injured list, and with José Quintana out of commission with an elbow injury, the Rockies suddenly find themselves lacking for left-handed starting pitchers.
Enter Baily Falter, who was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals.
Falter, a lefty, started last season strong with a 3.73 ERA over 22 starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the Royals. Since landing in Kansas City he has struggled as the Royals have used him both as a starter and reliever. In nine appearances with the Royals since last season he has a 12.46 ERA over 21.2 innings.
While certainly a reclamation project for Alon Leichman and the Rockies coaching staff, Falter fits into a similar mold as Freeland. A deceptive left-handed pitcher with a low 90s four-seam fastball and a handful of breaking pitches. If the Rockies could help Falter find his form from Pittsburgh, he could be a valuable piece of depth.
Final Thoughts
Who, if anyone, do you think the Rockies should pursue as reinforcement options from outside the organization? Let us know in the comments!
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