Wednesday June 27, 2012

John Burns:  As July quickly approaches, the Colorado Rockies have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season.

With a 28-45 record, the Rockies are already 14 games back from the NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers. So it’s obvious that the Rockies are ready to put this season behind them already, right? Well many would say yes, but if the Rockies can acquire some pitchers at the deadline, this team could still make a run.

It’s not the offense of the Rockies that is the reason for their sluggish start. The Rockies are fourth in all of baseball in team average with a .266 average. The reason for the Rockies record is the horrendous pitching staff. Colorado is dead last in baseball with a 5.29 ERA. The opposing ball clubs have a team average of .296 when they go against Colorado pitching, which is the highest in baseball.

Colorado has just recently gone to a four man rotation and the four starters will be on a 75-pitch limit, to compensate for one less day of rest. Jeremy Guthrie was the odd man out with a 6.34 ERA in 65.1 innings and was moved to the bullpen.

Besides the awful pitching the Rockies are also having a tough time staying healthy. The Rockies’ best player, Troy Tulowitzki, is on the disabled list, and could be out for a while with a groin injury. As well as Carlos Gonzalez (.327 AVG, 17 HRs, 53 RBIs) and some of the other Rockies position players have hit this year it is going to a waste because of the pitching.

As bad as the season has been for the Rockies, they do not need to blow up their roster. They definitely need to get some pitchers but they do not need to start over. Guys like Tulowitzki and Cargo are players you want to build a franchise around. The Rockies need to be patient and let their young pitchers get ready in the minors. Colorado is about 2 solid starting pitchers and some bullpen help away from being a consistent ballclub. They do not need to panic. Yes this season has been awful, but once they get Tulo healthy and add pitching, they could become contenders. I do not believe that the Rockies will contend at any point this season with the roster they have now, but there is a bright future in Colorado.

I do not expect the Rockies to make major moves at the trade deadline; they might make Marco Scutaro and others available but nothing major like a Cargo or Tulo. If the Rockies can clear up some cap space they could be contenders for Zach Greinke in the offseason. You never know, stranger things have happened. Colorado has a major need for pitching and they must address this issue if they want to be successful any time soon.

***John Burns- MLB reports Intern:  I am a highschool junior, play 1st base and catcher. I am a diehard Phillies fan. I  was born in Philadelphia but now live in Virginia. I come from a huge baseball family and just love the game. My cousin was drafted by the New York Mets in the 2008 MLB draft. My favorite players are Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, and Ryan Howard. I tweet all the time and you can follow me on twitter (@JohnBurns_MLB)***

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