Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 23, Parker Mushinski (0.2 rWAR)
Parker Mushinski was drafted by the Houston Astros back in 2017.
After a long climb through their minor-league system, he made his Major League debut in 2022. He spent the next three seasons shuttling between the Astros Triple-A affiliate and the big-league roster before becoming a free agent following the 2024 season.
After spending the entirety of 2025 at Triple-A for the Cleveland Guardians affiliate, Mushinski again tested free agency last offseason.
In one of their first moves after hiring Paul DePodesta to be their president of baseball operations, the Rockies signed the 30 year-old left hander to a minor-league contract.
Mushinski was originally invited to Major League spring training but was released after allowing 10 runs in just 8.2 innings. After failing to find a big-league deal with another club, he returned to the Rockies just two days later on another minor-league contract.
Mushinski found himself starting the season in Triple-A, hoping to earn a spot on the Major League roster mid-season. This was a familiar situation for him, having gone through this exact song and dance in three out of the past four seasons.
In the first four months of the season, Mushinski threw 48 innings for the Albuquerque Isotopes and recorded a stellar (for the offense-forward Pacific Coast League) 3.38 ERA. What’s more, those great results came despite a very fluid role that saw Mushinski open six games as well as sometimes acting as a long reliever.
On August 4, while searching for a fresh arm after a trade deadline that saw their bullpen depth tested by the Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik deals, the Rockies called Mushinski up to the Major League roster.
For his first assignment with the Rockies, Mushinski entered at the start of the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was able get through the frame without allowing a run… but not before allowing some traffic on the basepaths in the form of a single from Ben Williamson and a walk from Yandy Diaz.
Mushinski’s first appearance for the Rockies was an example of his entire tenure with the team.
Over the course of eight games for the Rockies, Mushinski was only the pitcher on record for a total of two runs despite allowing many baserunners. His great 2.70 ERA was not backed up by a 2.10 WHIP and 5.35 FIP. It did not help that Mushinski was not able to record a single strikeout in his 6.2 innings pitched.
As the end of August approached, the Rockies decided to avoid continuing the high-wire act that had been a hallmark of Mushinki’s time with the team.
After clearing waivers, Mushinski went on to finish out the season with an additional 10 appearances for the Albuquerque Isotopes, but did not get another chance with the Major League team.
While it’s possible that he could re-sign with the Rockies for 2027, Mushinski officially elected to test free agency once again after the season concluded.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!
