{"id":54824,"date":"2022-04-29T12:46:15","date_gmt":"2022-04-29T16:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=54824"},"modified":"2022-04-29T12:46:15","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T16:46:15","slug":"colorado-rockies-welcomed-surprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2022\/04\/29\/colorado-rockies-welcomed-surprise\/","title":{"rendered":"The Colorado Rockies\u2019 Welcomed Surprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Colorado Rockies<\/a>\u2019 welcomed surprise to begin 2022 has been their bullpen. As of this writing, they lead all of baseball with nine saves\u2014a significant improvement from their 2021 showing. That improvement is sorely needed if Colorado wants to be a .500 or better team. So far, so good.<\/p>\n

Previous Years\u2019 Bullpens<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The 2019 Rockies bullpen had an ERA of 5.18, ranking them 28th in baseball. They were worse in 2020 with a 29th-ranked 6.77 ERA. While the 2021 season saw an ERA improvement (4.91)\u2014fifth-worst in baseball\u2014the bullpen had issues in other areas. Their 33 saves as a team, ranked 25 out of 30. They blew 30 \u201csave\u201d opportunities, placing them 26th.<\/p>\n

Over the last three seasons, Manager Bud Black<\/a> at times found himself forced to choose between sticking with his starters a little longer\u2014and risk overworking their arms\u2014or handing the ball over to his bullpen and risk giving up the lead. That\u2019s not a good predicament for a manager.<\/p>\n

Commitment in Spring Training<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When Spring Training started, Black and pitching coach Darryl Scott<\/a> stressed this team\u2019s need to have the bullpen step up and be better this season. Every job was up for grabs. They challenged returning relievers and newcomers to avoid the big-inning(s) bullpen collapse that overwhelmed them the past several seasons.<\/p>\n

Change in Starters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The new trend in the big leagues is keeping team starters at six innings or fewer. The start of the 2022 season has even shown that early on some teams have their starters going only five innings. While most of that can be attributed to the lockout-shortened spring training and the need to build pitching arm stamina to regular-season shape, bullpens have to be relied upon to hold leads and win games.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just an issue for the Rockies. All teams need bullpen arms to be ready at all times. It doesn\u2019t matter if they are long relievers, setup pitchers, or even closers. Any bullpen arm can be called up any time after the fourth inning and they need to be ready to answer the call.<\/p>\n

Needed Quality Left-Hander(s)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Rockies set out to get better performances from their left-handed relievers. They went out and signed Ty Blach to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training 2022 when the lockout ended. He surprised the coaches with his spring camp and made the team. Blach has pitched eight innings in five games. Other than his April 23 game\u2014when he gave up four runs\u2014he has pitched well. Expect him to be both a long reliever and one-inning arm all season.<\/p>\n

The other lefty is Lucas Gilbreath. Although he has struggled so far, he is still going to be relied upon. What the Rockies need from him is to get back to his 2021 form. Gilbreath was their most consistent and, some said, best reliever all season. He had an ERA of 3.38 in 47 games, logging 44 strikeouts in 42 2\u20443 innings.<\/p>\n

Closer Daniel Bard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Right-hander Daniel Bard has been a welcomed surprise for Colorado Rockies so far this season. We all know his story. He had a remarkable, inspiring return to baseball in 2020 after more than six years off the field and he dominated. However, he was simply terrible in 2021 and ended up losing his closer role when he posted a 5.21 ERA and blew eight saves.<\/p>\n

So far in 2022, he has five saves in six games and has won a game. He seems to have found his fastball and slider again. If he keeps the homerun ball down and keeps the groundouts up, he should continue to be effective.<\/p>\n

Never Enough<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Colorado Rockies\u2019 welcomed surprise to begin 2022 has been their bullpen but you can never have enough effective bullpen arms. In today\u2019s style of the game, there is nothing more volatile than a major league bullpen. We also know the bullpen is still the biggest thing holding teams back.<\/p>\n

So far what the Rockies coaches and fans have seen has been a pleasant surprise. If the bullpen can maintain\u2014or improve\u2014their current competent and proficient play, the Rockies could see themselves hanging around in playoff contention.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>