GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – The Colorado Rockies are 26-43 this season, but the struggling team has found a strength in an unexpected area during their rebuild.
The Rockies have abandoned a starter-heavy pitching philosophy in favor of high-powered, high-velocity arms out of the bullpen in high-leverage situations. While the bullpen ERA of 5.07 is still near the highest in MLB, 27th when this was written, there are some gems emerging as the team seems to have undergone a new philosophical shift.
The Rockies seemed to lean into shifting some high pedigree arms into bulk inning roles as well as game planning to utilize possibly their best relievers in high leverage situations.
Starting with the bulk inning guys, the Rockies have converted a pair of vaunted starters into bullpen bulk inning rolls for the time being.
Antonio Senzatela is leading the way for this new wave of Rockies relievers. The former starter is now operating as a full-time reliever and is posting a career-best 1.36 ERA. He is averaging less than a walk and hit per inning pitched, with a WHIP of .85.
Senzatela went from pacing himself to pitch deep into games to utilizing his high-velocity arsenal in bursts. He could be a trade candidate at the deadline.
Bennan Bernardino has become a versatile weapon from the left side. He prioritizes locating his sinkers and sliders over raw power. Opposing hitters are averaging an exit velocity of barely over 83 miles per hour against him, well below the MLB average.
Jimmy Herget is another reliever defined by deception in his delivery and a diverse mix of sliders, curves and sinkers to force weak contact while keeping his walk rates down.