'I'm already a fan': Dollander draws high comps after strong BP session

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Thursday morning’s gallery at Rockies camp -- consisting mostly of longtime attendees and autograph seekers, as well as many club instructors and officials -- received a treat when righty Chase Dollander, MLB Pipeline's No. 25 prospect, threw his first live batting practice session.

Dollander, 23, drafted ninth overall out of the University of Tennessee in 2023, met all expectations of sharpness when facing Thairo Estrada, Ryan McMahon, Kris Bryant and Ezequiel Tovar.

Dollander, being given a chance to earn a rotation spot this spring but projected to be up at some point in 2025, exceeded the velocity that’s on his scouting report (about 96 mph) by hitting the 97-98 mph level.

There also was a curveball with sharp depth and some special horizontal burst at the end, a slider that he has tinkered with since college and a changeup that impressed McMahon, the lone lefty batter in the group.

More eye-popping was the smoothness of his delivery and general poise in front of watchful eyes.

“It was a little nerve-racking, first time out in big league Spring Training, first time facing these guys,” said Dollander, who said the extra velocity was the result of his offseason strengthening. “It was a lot of fun, though. I enjoyed it.”

McMahon joked that if anyone posts his strikeout on social media, they have to post his base hit -- a grounder just to the right of second base. McMahon compared Dollander’s curve to that of the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta, who has baffled the Rockies over the years. He compared the session to 2016, when Germán Márquez faced hitters on a back field for the first time after being obtained from the Rays in an offseason trade.

McMahon said he is watching more than Dollander’s pitches.

“I don’t think anybody questions his stuff,” McMahon said. “I want to see how you carry yourself. I want to know if we can count on you. He’s done everything to prove that so far. I’m already a fan.”

Bryant, who compared Dollander to a healthy Jacob deGrom, said he had not had an opportunity to talk to Dollander, but his pitches make him want to have a conversation.

“We hear about him, for sure,” Bryant said. “It’s hard not to. Honestly, I feel bad for some prospects because of articles and video on them at all times. But him and Gabriel Hughes, they both carry themselves well. They both went to college, so they’re pretty mature guys.

“I can’t wait to see them. I don’t make those decisions, but I think they’ll be up with us this year.”

The Rockies also announced that Hughes, a first-round pick in 2022 who missed last season because of Tommy John surgery, will start Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Making the long season feel shorter
Right-hander Bradley Blalock, who will start Friday’s Spring Training opener against the Diamondbacks, debuted with the Rockies (1-3, 5.87 ERA in seven games, six of them starts). After limiting walks to 3.2 per nine innings over his Minor League career, that number ballooned to 5.8 per nine in the Majors. He must reduce the walks to be part of the rotation in the beginning or a viable option at Albuquerque.

Blalock underwent Tommy John surgery and missed 2022 in Boston's system, and missed nearly the first two months of ‘23 when recovering. Part of the issue last season was enduring the length of a full season.

“There was a little bit of fatigue and I was trying to work through that, but I’ve just got to be better,” said Blalock, who spent the offseason strengthening and building the arm with long-toss.

Buy-in as an investment
This time last year, center fielder Brenton Doyle had committed to changes at the start of his swing. He maintained his plan throughout, and became one of the most improved offensive players in the sport. Manager Bud Black said players can take Doyle’s 2024 as a lesson.

“It’s not ever going to happen at the success rate in the Major Leagues that you need if the player doesn’t buy in,” Black said. “You got the buy-in, then it’s pretty easy. It’s physical and it’s repetition. The only thing that maybe gets in the way is if a player can’t physically do what you’re asking him to do. Then, it’s not going to happen anyway.

“Guys should be able to physically make changes, if they listen.”