Time for a Change: Replacing Jon Garland

     Jon Garland had another sub par performance on the mound for the Rockies on Friday night and failed to work into the sixth inning for the fifth time in his last six starts. On the year Garland is now 306 with a 5.81 ERA. He continually is leaving the ball up in the zone which is leaving him extremely susceptible to getting hit hard. His fastball works in the upper 80's which is well below the major league average. When he leaves that pitch up he is practically gift wrapping a base hit to the opposing batter. It is now time to start looking around to see what other options are out there that could fit into the fifth starter role for the Rockies.

     At the AAA level there really is only one starter in the Rockies organization whose performance at the minor league level warrants a look from the big club. Drew Pomeranz is quietly putting together a very good year for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Pomeranz is 6-1 on the year with a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts. He has made vast improvements from a year ago when he spent the season with the Rockies at the Major League level. in 2012 he had a 2-9 record with a 4.93 ERA in 22 starts. He allowed 14 home runs in 96 2/3rd innings pitched on the year. This year at AAA he has only allowed three home runs in 56 innings pitched. His control is improving and he is learning more and more about how to consistently get outs. There has never been a question about his stuff as he has always possessed an above average fastball and a very good curveball, the question has been if and when he would put it all together and translate it to success at higher levels. It looks like he is finally living up to the potential that he was believed to have when he was traded for Ubaldo Jimenez a couple of years ago.

(Paat Kelly)

     If the Rockies wanted to dive deeper into their options then they have a couple to chose from at the AA level within their organization. Christian Bergman has quietly put together a very good year for the Tulsa Drillers. On the year he has a 3-3 record with a very good 2.69 ERA. Probably the best part of his game is his accuracy. Bergman has only issued 11 walks on the year in just over 60 innings of work. He does not have a great fastball but his ability to work the corners of the plate is something that is desired at the Major League level.

(Rich Crimi)

     Another pitcher at the AA level who has put up good numbers this year is Sean Gallagher. Gallagher began the year in Independent League ball with the Sugar Land Skeeters and was then signed by the Rockies a few weeks ago. Combined on the year, Gallagher is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in seven starts. He also does not have a great fastball as he can work in the low 90's, but he understands the art of getting people out which is something that the Rockies could use right now.

(Rich Crimi)

     The last option for the Rockies right now would be veteran all star Roy Oswalt. Oswalt is currently working himself back into playing shape with the Drillers. Oswalt was out of baseball for the year until the Rockies inked him to a minor league deal on May 2nd. Oswalt was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game for nearly 12 years and during his career he has compiled a 163-96 record with a career 3.28 ERA. Oswalt will still need a few more starts at the minor league level to work on mechanics and building up his endurance but he is not far away from being Major League ready.

(James Durbin)

     If the Rockies are serious about making a run to the playoffs this year then they will need to make some changes to the rotation in order to become more competitive and be able to compete at a higher level.