The Rockies, in need of arms that can help change the course of the organization, are going to see what they’ve got in a former first-round pick.
Colorado called up right-hander Gabriel Hughes to join the team ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Marlins at Coors Field. Hughes, the No. 10 overall pick out of Gonzaga in 2022, will debut out of the Rockies’ bullpen.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, Hughes missed the 2024 season, and returned to pitch in the Arizona Fall League that year. He features a low-90s fastball, plus a changeup, curveball and slider.
This season, Hughes has a 5.31 ERA in 9 games (7 starts) in Triple-A Albuquerque, though he’s been lights out lately. Hughes has allowed no earned runs through his last three three starts for the Isotopes, with 16 strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings. He was added to Colorado’s 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, a move that signaled his arrival in LoDo was imminent.
Across four minor-league seasons, Hughes has a 4.83 ERA in 50 games (48 starts). When he debuts, he will be the eighth Colorado player to debut this season, and the 13th Alaskan-born player to play in majors.
In a corresponding move, the Rockies designated right-handed reliever John Brebbia for assignment.
This story will be updated.
