Colorado Rockies Pitchers: 2015 Team Preview

Jul 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (32) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. The Rockies won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

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It is always fun to talk about the hitters of the Rockies, and I did not even go into anything on Justin Morneau, Corey Dickerson, or Wilin Rosario.  However, these team previews only provide a snapshot of certain players.  As for the snapshot on the arms of the Rockies, here is who I am interested in.

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Yep, that is it.  No one on their staff is really desirable to me from a fantasy perspective.

Jon Gray and Eddie Butler are two really strong pitching prospects, but I would have to be nuts to expect much from a rookie pitcher in Colorado who may barely see the show.  If Colorado continues to be such an extreme park in favor of hitters, then I have to even temper their career expectations.  Gray and Butler could both one day be very good arms, but I am skeptical of them being relevant fantasy options in Colorado this year.

LaTroy Hawkins will have a touch of fantasy value as the closer of the Rockies, but he is the lowest of the low-end closers.  He does not strike batters out, he does not have great job security despite holding down the fort in 2014, and Hawkins is old enough to have fought in the Civil War.

Even though Hawkins had a serviceable 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last season, I would expect regression as he transitions into a retirement home.  While I have the upmost respect for his lengthy Major League career dating back to 1995, LaTroy Hawkins is dead last out of all closers I would draft.  In fact, I would much, much rather gamble on a high upside set-up man like Kevin Quackenbush or Ken Giles who could easily land in the closer’s role.

Tanner Bell of Smart Fantasy Baseball has created all of the projections seen in this post.  You can read about how he develops his projections here.  His projections are invaluable to this site.  You can also visit his site at www.smartfantasybaseball.com.