The Rockies’ low-key offseason dealing continued Tuesday when they traded struggling right-hander Bradley Blalock to Miami in exchange for minor league right-hander Jake Brooks.
Brooks, 24, was an 11th-round selection by the Marlins in 2023 out of UCLA. He reached Double-A for the first time in 2025, going 2-2 with a 4.58 ERA in seven starts at Pensacola of the Southern League. Listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Brooks has carved out a solid minor league career, going 17-12 with a 3.32 ERA in 48 games (44 starts). He’s notched 188 strikeouts vs. 49 walks in 238 1/3 innings pitched.
Brooks’ pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, a low-80s slider, and a low-80s changeup. He’ll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December 2026 if he hasn’t earned a spot on the 40-man roster by then.
Blalock, 25, made his major league debut in 2024 with Milwaukee, but pitched just one scoreless inning before he was shipped to Colorado in a trade that sent right-hander Nick Mears to the Brewers.
Blalock was designated for assignment by the Rockies last week in order to make room for starter Michael Lorenzen on the 40-man roster. Colorado signed Lorenzen to a one-year, $8 million contract, with a $9 million club option in 2027.
Blalock got beat up over 20 appearances (18 starts) with Colorado, posting an 8.25 ERA across 88 1/3 innings. In 2025, he posted a 9.36 ERA and served up 17 home runs in just 58 2/3 innings.
Acquiring Blalock adds some depth to the Marlins’ staff after they traded Edward Cabrera to the Cubs and Ryan Weathers to the Yankees earlier this month.
