Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in an interview with MLB Network that top prospect Chase Dollander will have every opportunity in spring training to make the Opening Day rotation.
“I think he’s close,” Schmidt added. Whether Dollander can conquer the Coors Field challenge remains to be seen, but he’s the most intriguing pitching prospect the Rockies have had in at least a decade or so. The 23-year-old right-hander was outstanding last year, posting a sparkling 2.59 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 169/47 K/BB ratio across 118 innings (23 starts) between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. It sounds like he’ll have a legitimate opportunity to make Colorado’s season-opening starting rotation and could make a real impact for fantasy managers early on next year. He’ll be worth monitoring closely in spring training, especially in deeper mixed leagues.