The Rockies introduced that they’ve optioned right-hander Chase Dollander to Triple-A Albuquerque. Fellow righty Bradley Blalock has been recalled from Albuquerque because the corresponding transfer.
Dollander, 23, was referred to as as much as the majors within the first week of April. The ninth total decide of the 2023 draft, he tore by way of the minors final 12 months, posting a 2.59 earned run common, 33.9% strikeout price and 9.4% stroll price in 118 innings. He was already a prime prospect after being drafted however that efficiency shot him up even greater on the rankings. After only one Triple-A begin this 12 months, he was within the massive leagues.
Up to now, he hasn’t been capable of ship on that prospect hype. Round a quick stint on the injured listing resulting from forearm tightness, he now has 15 massive league begins beneath his belt with a 6.68 ERA. His 16.8% strikeout price and 10.7% stroll price are each subpar.
Not each prospect comes as much as the majors and finds quick success, so it’s not essentially a priority that Dollander has struggled. Alternatively, Coors Area is a notoriously difficult venue to pitch in and that appears to be an element right here. Dollander has a 4.25 ERA on the street however an enormous 9.37 mark within the mountains. His 20.3% strikeout price on the street is significantly better than his 13.7% clip at Coors.
Getting main league hitters out is hard in any stadium, however the Coors impact solely heightens the problem. Batted balls fly farther within the skinny air however breaking pitches additionally transfer much less, so there could also be a steep studying curve as Dollander tries to make his stuff work at altitude.
Given his struggles, it’s not essentially a shock to see the Rockies ship him down. It’s additionally doable that the upcoming All-Star break will permit them to recall him pretty rapidly with out lacking multiple or two turns by way of the rotation. With some upcoming off-days, the Rockies would possibly simply use a four-man rotation for some time, or maybe give Blalock a spot begin or two.
Although the choice is defensible, Dollander is prone to be personally impacted by the transfer. A baseball season is often 186 days lengthy however a participant wants solely 172 days of service to be credited with a full 12 months of service time. Dollander was referred to as up simply 10 days into the season, so he was on monitor to hit the one-year mark. That just about actually received’t occur now as an non-obligatory project for a pitcher has a 15-day minimal.
The Rockies might technically recall Dollander in lower than 15 days if another person goes on the injured listing, however barring that situation, Dollander not has a path to 1 12 months of service. As a prime prospect, he might additionally earn a full 12 months by ending within the prime two of Rookie of the 12 months voting, however it’s arduous to fathom that chance along with his present stats.
Put all of it collectively and Dollander’s path to free company has virtually actually been pushed by a 12 months. Had he stayed up, he would have been on monitor free of charge company after 2030. It now seems that post-2031 would be the earliest he might hit the open market. His path to arbitration may be impacted, relying on how lengthy this non-obligatory project lasts.
These are long-term questions which will likely be answered in time. Within the shorter time period, the main target will likely be on Dollander’s on-field skills and determining find out how to attain his potential. The 2025 Rockies are one of many worst baseball groups of all time and there aren’t many causes for long-term optimism, both. If Dollander can begin wanting like a possible ace once more, that would supply a glimmer of hope, however it’s not there proper now.
