Previewing the 2015 Isotopes: Relief pitchers

This is the final installment in our previews of the 2015 Isotopes. Previously, we examined the catchers, first baseman, middle infielders, third baseman, outfielders and starting pitchers.


The sheer quantity of possible relief pitchers makes compiling this list a bit daunting. We always start by trying to predict the major-league roster and then examine the remaining players for the triple-A roster. This is harder than any position because so few of the bullpen spots for the Rockies are locks as they begin spring training.

Utilizing the recent piece by the Denver Post's Nick Grote and the depth chart on Rockies.com, let's throw these seven names against the wall: LaTroy Hawkins as closer, Boone Logan, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Ottavino, Rex Brothers, Brooks Brown and Christian Friedrich (who is out of minor league options).

Next comes the usual qualifier about injuries, disaster performances in Arizona, and overwhelming performances that will surely change things.

Now comes the list of those fighting for a job with the Rockies and could be with the Isotopes. Let's break them into categories, shall we?

Veterans with experience

John Axford, the former Brewers and Indians closer, was signed to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite in early February. Haven't seen any information about opt-out clause dates for Axford if he's not in the majors. Those are typical for somebody with Axford's resume: age 32 on April 1, 4+ years of MLB service time, 116 saves, including a league-leading 46 in 2011. Axford will make $2.6 million if he makes the team and can early an additional $1.5 million in incentives. If he's in the majors, that means somebody like Brooks Brown could be headed back to the minors.

Rafael Betancourt, once the Rockies closer, was also signed to a minor league contract with spring training invite. Betancourt is now 39. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery last year and pitched for triple-A Colorado Springs late in the season. Like Axford, there's probably an opt-out clause at some date if Betancourt isn't in the majors.

On 40-man roster (or recently were)

Jairo Diaz was acquired from the Angels in a December trade for infielder Josh Rutledge. Armed with a fastball that averages 97.2 mph and has hit triple digits, Diaz is a potential closer in the majors. Originaly signed as a catcher out of Venezeula, Diaz was moved from the rotation to the bullpen in 2013. Diaz split 2014 between high-A Inland Empire and double-A Arkansas, before the Angels called him up in September for five appearances (5.2 IP, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 SO).

Jorge Rondon was selected off waivers from the Cardinals in early November and remained on the 40-man roster throughout the winter. Diehard Isotopes fans will remember him for igniting the ugly brawl with Memphis in 2013. In 51 games for Memphis last year, Rondon compiled a 3.03 ERA, saved 10 games, posted a career-low 2.9 walks per nine innings and struck out 7.4 per nine innings. He has one option remaining.

Yohan Flande, David Hale and Gus Schlosser could pitch in the starting rotation or the bullpen, for the Rockies or Isotopes. More was listed about each of them in the starting pitchers preview.

Impressed at AA or A last year 

Scott Oberg could end up being a steal for the Rockies, as a 15th-round pick out of UConn in 2012. After three years in the minors, his career numbers: 2.17 ERA, 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings, 2.0 walks per nine, and 61 saves. He was a key cog in the double-A Tulsa bullpen last year, but only threw 27.1 innings due to injury. He previously had "Tommy John surgery" in 2011, while in college.

Cole White

Cole White is another former New Mexico Lobo, by way of Paris JC in Texas. White was inexplicably released by the Royals on May 9, 2013 -- despite a 2.08 ERA in seven games. Stunned by the news, White went home and questioned if he wanted to keep playing. The Rockies called a few days later, signed him, and he's racked up 35 saves over the last two years at double-A Tulsa. White posted a 2.96 ERA last year for the Drillers and made three appearances for triple-A Colorado Springs. White has only given up 12 home runs in 218 career minor league innings, but he's averaged 6.1 walks per nine innings. White would continue a trend of former Lobos playing at Isotopes Park (Steve Smith, Brian Cavazos-Galvez and possibly Austin House).

Ken Roberts is the third member of last year's impressive double-A Tulsa bullpen deserving of a promotion. In 47 appearances, he threw a whopping 78 innings, so he's not a one-batter lefty or even a one-inning guy. His ERA was 2.31 and his WHIP was 0.92. Win-loss records are usually useless, but to go 9-2 out of the bullpen and throw that many innings means he was trusted in key situations late in games and/or rescued a game from a starting pitcher. Then in the Arizona Fall League, Roberts didn't allow any runs in 14.1 innings. He'll be 27 this season.

Kraig Sitton is the fourth member of that double-A Tulsa bullpen that could be heading to Isotopes Park. Sitton's ERA was 3.68 in 48 games, with less hits allowed (63) than innings pitched (66). In five minor league seasons covering 222 appearances (all in relief), Sitton is averaged 7.1 strikeouts, 3.0 walks and 0.8 home runs per nine innings. He'll be 26 this season.

Nelson Gonzalez is, yes, the fifth member of that Tulsa bullpen coming off a good season. Gonzalez wasn't as dominant, but a 4.16 ERA isn't bad, plus less hits than innings pitched. He'll be 25 this year, so he's 1-3 younger than his bullpen mates of a year ago. Gonzalez's career strikeout ratio is 8.0 and walks are a mere 2.6, so those are excellent peripherals.

Ryan Arrowood is, indeed, the sixth reliever from double-A Tulsa that was consistently effective. Think the bullpen was a reason the Drillers made the playoffs? Just like Roberts, Arrowood had a lot of multiple-inning outings. That's how he accumulated 87.2 innings in 40 games (two starts) and went 7-0 with a 3.80 ERA and one save. Arrowood didn't strike out a lot (4.7 per nine innings), which is way below a career average that still sits at 8.0 per nine innings.

Austin House

Austin House was acquired by the Rockies in a trade with the A's during the winter meetings. He's the ultimate local product: born in Albuquerque, high school at La Cueva, college at the University of New Mexico, and has a strong chance to pitch for the Isotopes at some point this year -- maybe on Opening Day. House was very impressive at high-A Modesto in 2014, whiffing 79 in 54.2 innings, walking only 19 games and compiling 19 saves. That's a hitters league, too. He pitched in four games at triple-A Sacramento as well. The Rockies invited him to the Winter Caravan event at Isotopes Park, where he got to visit with general manager Jeff Bridich. During the Q&A, I tried to goad House into asking Bridich where he's going to pitch this year. Alas, he didn't take the bait.

Minor league free agents

Buddy Boshers (Bo-sheers) was signed as a minor league free agent, after seven years in the Angels system. His only MLB experience was 15.1 innings in 2013, when he walked eight and struck out 13. Boshers began 2014 at triple-A Salt Lake, then was demoted to double-A Arkansas in May with a 6.23 ERA and 13 walks in 13 innings. This will be his age-27 season.

Jason Gurka is another first-time minor league free agent signing, after seven campaigns in the Orioles organization, who thought of him to give an assignment in the prestigious Arizona Fall League in 2013. Other than two outings at triple-A Norfolk, Gurka spent the 2014 season at double-A Bowie. He was a little old for that level, age 26 last year, but compiled a 2.39 ERA and struck out 60 in 64 innings. And he's left-handed. That always helps. Gurka has yet to reach the majors.

Justin Miller is one of eight people named Justin Miller in the baseball-reference.com database, I'm fairly confident the link is accurate, and he would become the second by that name to pitch for the Isotopes. Miller was dominant at triple-A Toledo in 2014, whiffing 39 in 44.2 innings, posting a 1.81 ERA in 38 games. Miller had three stints in the majors with the Tigers, and allowed seven earned runs in 12.1 innings. If he's on the roster when the Isotopes are in Fresno, I guarantee he'll be a pre-game interview one day of that series since he's from Fresno State. This will be his age-28 season.

Jose Ortega joins the Rockies organization as a minor league free agent, after eight years with the Tigers chain. He's appeared in 14 games in the majors over the last three years, giving up 10 runs and 11 walks in 15.2 innings, along with 15 strikeouts. Primarily, he's been at triple-A Toledo the last two years with varying results: 1.86 ERA in 2013 and 3.57 ERA in 2014. That probably says as much about how volatile results are for relievers, and misleading ERA can be. In his career, 8.1 strikeouts and 5.2 walks per nine innings indicates he's probably the "power arm with control issues" that is common for guys struggling to make the jump from triple-A to the majors.

Leuris Gomez was a minor-league free agent who elected to remain in the Rockies organization. Primarily at triple-A Colorado Springs, Gomez managed to only give up two home runs in 54.1 innings, while striking out 66. By the way, does every pitcher average more than one strikeout per inning these days, or what? Gomez started three games and worked in relief 30 times. He's yet to reach the majors and will be 28 this season.

That's 19 reasonable candidates for the bullpen. And that doesn't count the inevitable names that I'm neglecting or somebody who doesn't make the starting rotation -- where we listed 11 legitimate candidates for the beginning of the season, two more later once they recover from injuries, and three additional names.

Even with the usual subtraction due to injuries, opt-out clauses and trades, that's a lot of names for Senior Director of Player Development Zach Wilson to consider. More than a few talented pitchers will be sent to double-A Tulsa New Britain, or get released. Then again, all 30-plus pitchers listed in these two pitching previews could pitch for the Isotopes at some point.

Personally, I'm always partial to the top prospects, local products and veterans trying to hang on. That means I'm hoping we see Axford, Betancourt, House, Oberg, Roberts, Sitton and White.