Last night, the Colorado Rockies took their 55th loss of the year during a 4-3 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s been quite the disastrous season for the Rockies. At this point, it’s time to let their younger prospects get as much playing time as possible to develop their game to the Major League level and compete within a brutally tough NL West division. Before their loss, it was announced that 22-year-old pitching prospect Chase Dollander had been selected for the All-Star Futures Game. Dollander becomes the first Rockies pitcher to play in the Futures Game since Ben Bowden in 2019. He will become the 16th Rockies pitcher to appear in the Future Game, the first being Chin-Hui Tsao in 2000. With this pitcher’s prominence coming at such an early age, Colorado should consider promoting him during the second half of the season.
The Rockies Should Promote Pitching Prospect
Dollander has appeared on the mound 12 times this season with the Spokane Indians, the Rockies High-A Affiliate. In 62 innings pitched, he’s put up a 3-1 record. The 22-year-old pitching prospect has a 3.05 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and 92 strikeouts. Batters put up a .224 average against Dollander. He’s given up 25 runs on 52 hits and 25 walks. Colorado’s 22-year-old pitching prospect has recorded 10 strikeouts or more in four of his 12 starts. On April 19th, he pitched five and one-third innings, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out 12 batters. Dollander pitched a season-high of seven innings on June 7th.
At this time in the season, the Rockies are in a position they can’t come back from. They are 26 games below .500. It would take a whole bunch of willpower to get this team back to that point. It would not hurt Colorado to promote some of their younger prospects, including Dollander. This will give him a general idea of what to expect from some of the best batters in the league. If promoted to the Major League level, he would certainly gain more knowledge and experience of what’s required of him in order to be successful. Dollander has been lights out for the Spokane Indians. With many of the Rockies offensive players being promoted this season, it wouldn’t hurt to get a younger pitcher involved as well.
Could Dollander Find Success At The Major League Level?
Colorado has a high chance of taking the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. After Kris Bryant signed a few years back, the Rockies have certainly become an unfavorable trade destination. This team must develop their prospects into future all-stars. While Dollander would gain insight at the Major League level if promoted, it would not reflect that way in multiple statistical categories. With the Rockies offense struggling mightily, he might not obtain a bunch of wins. Dollander’s ERA may be inflated if the opponent’s offenses can figure out his game plan on the mound. As a potential future franchise cornerstone, having Dollander on the roster could change the dynamics of this lousy pitching rotation.
Main Photo Credits: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
