With the Rockies on track to miss the playoffs for the first time in three years, here’s a ranking of the five most disappointing individual performances by Colorado players this season.
No. 5: Garrett Hampson — The 24-year-old infielder made his debut last year, and Colorado was counting on him being one piece that helped the club shore up the loss of all-star second baseman DJ LeMahieu to the Yankees. But Hampson has struggled to find an offensive rhythm this season, hitting .205 with one homer and 47 strikeouts while twice shuttling back-and-forth from Triple-A Albuquerque.
No. 4: German Marquez — With the rest of the rotation floundering from the get-go, Colorado’s needed much more consistency from the right-hander than his current 4.99 overall ERA and 7.07 home ERA. Marquez has given up at least one homer in six straight outings, and turned in the shortest (and ugliest) start of his career with an 11-run blow-up in 2 ⅔ innings against the Giants on July 15.
No. 3: Wade Davis — Colorado’s closer has lost his fearsomeness this year, with a 5.83 ERA, a couple blown saves and plenty of dramatics when he takes the hill. He’s been most shaky at Coors Field, where he’s 0-4 with a 9.53 ERA in 19 appearances compared to a 0.73 ERA in 14 road appearances. And while the reliable Scott Oberg hasn’t officially supplanted Davis as closer, Davis’ lack of consistent dominance has been alarming.
No. 2: Seunghwan Oh — Oh was expected to be a key veteran cog in the Colorado bullpen after posting a 2.53 ERA in 25 games for the Rockies last season. But the “Final Boss” couldn’t find his stuff or his health, with a 9.33 ERA in 21 games while battling abdominal and elbow issues. Oh needs season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow and was designated for assignment by Colorado on Tuesday. The 37-year-old’s MLB career is likely over.
No. 1: Kyle Freeland — After finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2018, the Denver native entered 2019 with an ace label and with the expectation that he and Marquez would carry the rotation. But Freeland’s bombed with a 7.00 ERA in 15 games, even though he showed true promise for the first time this year on Wednesday night with six innings pitched and no earned runs against the Nationals. Can the southpaw fully get his swagger back?
— , The Denver Post
What’s on Tap
- At Washington Nationals, 2 p.m. Thursday, ATTRM
- At Cincinnati Reds, 4:40 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
- At Cincinnati Reds, 5:10 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
- At Cincinnati Reds, 11 a.m. Sunday, ATTRM
Must-Read
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Jon Gray dodges major injury, but he’s frustrated by Rockies’ prolonged slump
Jon Gray‘s pain turned into exasperation following the Rockies’ 3-2 loss to the Nationals in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Read more…
Newman: Rockies’ season expectations revised amid dimming playoff hopes
If itap not time to wave the white flag, itap time to start seriously thinking about it. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Rockies’ miserable July gets worse with Jon Gray injury, loss to Nationals
+ Rockies catcher Tony Wolters earns teammates’ praise for hot work behind plate
+ Yonder Alonso called up to be Rockies’ backup first baseman
+ Nationals’ Trea Turner hits for cycle against Rockies, who lose for 14th time in 17 games
+ Veteran slugger Mark Reynolds designated for assignment by Rockies
+ Rockies’ David Dahl makes strides, but he’s still a work in progress
+Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team?Ask Patrick Saunders here.
+Want to chat about the Rockies?
By The Numbers
3-16
Rockies swept in doubleheader by Nationals, now 3-16 over last 19 games
Just how bad are the rock-bottom Rockies right now? Read more…
Parting Shot
A Rockie road: Here’s some former stars who struggled in Colorado late in their careers
Here’s a look at some former stars who struggled in their time in Colorado. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.comortweet me .
