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2014 Colorado Rockies - Pitching Staff Preview
Jorge De La Rosa
De La Rosa might have figured out a way to break the curse of Coors Field. He actually did better at home (10-1 2.76 ERA) than on the road (6-5 4.19 ERA). The lefty turned in a solid year even for fantasy owners which is rare from a Rockies pitcher. He is not going to get you a lot of Ks (112 in 167.2 IP), but he could be mid-late round source of wins and decent ERA. He has some control issues and gives up some hits that leads to his career 1.48 WHIP, but that did improve in his best season last year. He isn’t going to turn any heads or be a good enough for a sleeper, but under careful watch and streak riding De La Rosa can be quite useful to a fantasy baseball championship quest.
2014 Projection: 31 starts, 17 W, 7 L, 119K 3.91 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin could be the right handed version of De La Rosa. In 31 starts he had a respectable 14-10 record with a 3.47 ERA. He had 126 K in 197.1 innings last year with a 1.26 WHIP which is respectable for a pitcher who starts half of his games at Coors Field. Chacin is only 25 years old so there is a good chance with a healthy offense he could progress this year. Look for him to compete for ace of the staff if De La Rosa falters at all. If you are considering drafting him look for him to go around the same area as De La Rosa. Play the matchups well and Chacin could be a diamond in the rough.
2014 Projection: 32 starts, 15 W, 9L, 139 K, 3.53 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Brett Anderson
New Rockies arm, Brett Anderson, brings optimism and hope to their rotation. Obviously, the Rockies are hoping to get the potential ace Anderson and not the often injured lefty. Anderson has only made 19+ starts twice in his 5 years in the majors. Perhaps a change of scenery and the Rockies offense will help Anderson reach his potential, because he has really good stuff. In the years he has been healthy he has almost averaged a K an inning. Coming over to the National League usually helps a pitcher’s ERA, but he is going to Coors Field. He owns a 3.81 ERA and has never pitched at Coors so it’s a bit of a fantasy risk to go with him until you can see a sample size. If you decide to take a chance who knows you could hit a home run, but do not be surprised if he ends up being a spot starter for your fantasy team.
2014 Projection: 15 starts, 6 W, 7 L, 113 K, 4.05 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
Tyler Chatwood
The once prized prospect had a decent year last year of 20 starts where he went 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA. Chatwood isn’t a big strikeout pitcher; he only had 66 in 111.1 innings. He has some control issues and gives up his share of hits that leads to a high WHIP. Like all the pitchers in the Rockies rotation, Chatwood can be a source of wins due to the Rockies offense. From a fantasy perspective Chatwood might be good for an injury fill in or a spot start, but make sure you play the matchups correctly due to his inflated home ERA.
2014 Projection: 23 starts, 11 W, 7 L, 80K, 3.46 ERA, 1.45 WHIP
Closer
Right now newly signed LaTroy Hawkins is penciled into being the teams closer. He has 13 saves in 16 opportunities with the Mets last year. 55 K in 70.2 innings isn’t bad for a 41 year old journeyman. Those were the most innings he has pitched in the last four years. If you agree with the theory of not using a draft pick on a closer, a fantasy owner can snag Hawkins towards the end of the draft and hope he stays healthy and keeps the job all season. Watch out for Rex Brothers who could get a shot if Hawkins doesn’t have a good spring. Let’s say he stays healthy and keeps the job all year (big “if”) you could be getting around a decent amount from him considering the Rockies had 53 chances last year, the bullpen is in some bad shape and needs to prove they can be consistent and for that reason I would not look to the Rockies for relief fantasy help.
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