Rockies Youth Pitching Movement

At this point in the season, Rockies fans are looking for their diamonds in the rough, and the Colorado Rockies youth movement with pitchers could be where fans should look.

Chase Dollander | 2-5 | 6.28 ERA | 38.2 IP

Even though at first glance, the numbers for Dollander do not look fantastic, before going on the 15- day injured list, once you look into his individual starts, you could make an argument that Dollander is the future of the Rockies starting rotation.

The former Tennessee Volunteer has thrown into the fifth inning three out of five starts this season, including his latest outing against a feisty Atlanta Braves (April 30) team, where he went 5 ⅔ innings while giving up just a pair of hits and one run. Prior to his start against Atlanta in his first time against a National League West foe, the San Diego Padres, Dollander struck out seven in just 5 ⅔ innings with just three hits and two runs against him.

Tanner Gordon | 1-2 | 4.24 ERA | 17 IP

Tanner Gordon has been a spot starter for the Rockies this season for when the Rockies have placed multiple starters on the injured list this season, but with a little bit of time and experience, Gordon could easily slide into the starting rotation in the future.

The Champaign, Ill., native has thrown two quality starts, both in the month of May and against top-tier American League squads. On May 8 against the Detroit Tigers, Gordon went 6 ⅓ innings with four strikeouts and gave up nine hits and seven runs on 89 pitches.

He then got tasked with going against the New York Yankees on May 23rd and secured the Rockies' lone win against the Bronx bombers. Through six innings, he gave up one home run to Aaron Judge, so does it really count? In all seriousness, he struck out five in the start and held a dominant offense to a .286 batting average and just a pair of runs.

Seth Halvorsen | 0-1 | 4.57 ERA | 21.2 IP

The Rockies do have a former Volunteer in their starting rotation and outfield (Jordan Beck), but the Rockies' relief staff also has some of the East Tennessee magic in it. Halvorson emerged for the Rockies in the 2024 season and tagged the role of the closer, but with a bit of a struggle in the start of the current season, Halvorson has seen more time in the seventh and eighth innings for the Rockies. 

Over his last 15 games, the right-handed pitcher has struck out 12 and given up just seven hits. In his last three appearances, that have come against the Chicago Cubs and twice against the Yankees, he has given up just one hit in three innings of work. 

Zach Agnos | 0-1 | 1.13 ERA | 16 IP

Agnos is another relief pitcher for the Rockies who has had to find his spot. When he first got called up he pitched in the middle innings and has now emerged as the Rockies closer and has found success in that role.

Throughout all 14 games, the Haymarket, Va., native has registered a 1.13 ERA (earned run average) with eight strikeouts and a .81 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched). Agnos registered his first career save against the Braves on April 30, where he gave up just one hit.