After a stellar 2021 by Germán Márquez, the Colorado Rockies were confident they had an ace in their rotation. It was the second full season (2018), and he showed he was capable of leading the Rockies’ rotation. Márquez went 12-11 with a 4.40 ERA and a 176:64 K: BB ratio in 180 innings pitched. He earned his first all-star appearance and threw a near no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field on June 29. While 2022 was a step back from 2021, he was still a dependable rotation member.
Germán Márquez’s Vital Role in the Rockies’ Rotation Performance
But two starts into 2023, Márquez suffered a serious elbow injury and would require Tommy John surgery. He attempted to return in 2024 but only pitched four innings before a stress reaction caused him to sit out the rest of the season. He will be four seasons removed from 2021 next season. But if he can come even close to that version in 2025, it could do wonders for the Rockies rotation.
Márquez Had a Stellar 2021
In 2016, the Rockies traded left fielder Corey Dickerson and minor leaguer Kevin Padlo to the Tampa Bay Rays for Márquez and left-handed reliever Jake McGee. Márquez started three games in 2016 and then became a full-time member of the rotation in 2017. He had arguably the best season of his career in 2018, but 2021 was a close second. While Márquez did not strike out batters at the rate he did in 2018, he managed to succeed by avoiding the barrel and keeping the ball on the ground. Per Statcast, he ranked in the top 14 percent in Major League Baseball with a 5.3%-barrel rate and 52.8% groundball rate, respectively.
Márquez was lights out in June and July, going 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA and a 72:17 K: BB ratio. Márquez’s performance against the Pirates on June 29 was one of the best pitching performances at Coors Field all-time. He held the Pirates to one hit over nine innings, with five Ks and one BB. His 21 home runs allowed in 2021 is the lowest of his career in seasons in which he pitched at least 162 innings. The Rockies finished 74-87 in 2021 and 5th in the National League West. Márquez was not able to lead a team with a myriad of issues to the postseason. But Márquez being a solid starter next season could make the Rockies a lot more competitive. A Rockies rotation that is facing several questions entering next season.
Rockies Current Rotation
The Rockies starting rotation will look different in 2025. One of the stalwarts in 2024, Right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, was non-tendered this offseason as part of an attempt by the Rockies front office to shed payroll. More changes could be on the way as LHP Austin Gomber has been mentioned as a trade candidate this offseason. Veteran LHP Kyle Freeland will return for his ninth season with the Rockies. Freeland’s 2024 got off to a brutal start. But after a stint on the injured list, he gradually played better as the season went on. Depending on what the Rockies decide to do with Gomber, the opening-day starter will likely be Gomber or Freeland.
Veteran RHP Antonio Senzatela is coming off five games in the past two seasons due to injuries, including an ACL tear. Like Márquez, Senzatela will have to prove that he can stay healthy next season. After Senzatela, the Rockies rotation gets very young. RHP Bradley Blalock was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in a deadline deal in 2024. Blalock went 1-3 in six games with a 20:19 K: BB ratio in 29.2 innings pitched. It is still early to say definitively who will fill the final spot in the Rockies rotation. But in the past couple of seasons, the Rockies have decided to fill that spot with a veteran free agent on a short-term deal. Additionally, for the third straight season, the Rockies pitching depth will be a serious question mark.
Recurring Injuries in Rotation Could Cause Problems
The Rockies were in a very similar situation concerning their rotation last season. Since Senzatela and Márquez would not be available for much of the season, the Rockies signed Quantrill and RHP Dakota Hudson to fill in on short-term deals. The Rockies have recently used long relievers LHP Ty Blach, RHP Peter Lambert, and RHP Jhoulys Chacín as spot starters. Chacín retired after the 2022 season, Lambert signed a deal overseas this offseason, and Blach is still a free agent. Without their main depth options, which they have relied upon in the past, the Rockies rotation will be in a precarious position.
It will be more important than ever for Senzatela and Márquez to stay healthy. The good news is both players are expected to have full offseasons of work for the first time since before their injuries. Márquez pitched a combined 361 2/3 innings during 2021-22. That wear and tear could be a big reason why he suffered the devastating elbow injury in early 2023. He will have a full offseason where he is prepping, not rehabbing. The Rockies hope that will be the key to Márquez returning to form. If he deals with recurring injuries again, their dearth of starting pitching depth will be severely tested.
Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
