DENVER -- Right-handed starting pitcher Chase Dollander (MLB Pipeline's No. 24 prospect and the Rockies' No. 1) and the club¡¯s Hall of Fame first baseman Todd Helton have always been linked, with both being former University of Tennessee stars.
¡°He was around UT sometimes, but I never really knew him until I got drafted,¡± Dollander said. ¡°He was actually one of the first people to text me -- which I thought was awesome -- on the Draft day.¡±
Helton, now a Rockies special assistant to the general manager, has made it a point to be part of another special day for Dollander, who will make his Major League debut on Sunday in a start against the Athletics at Coors Field. Helton was in town for Friday¡¯s home opener. He changed his flight out so he can watch Dollander pitch.
Helton believes Dollander, 23, can impact the Rockies.
"What he¡¯s done in the Minor Leagues -- I mean, there are a lot of guys that have great stuff, but they don¡¯t for whatever reason go dominate in the Minor Leagues,¡± said Helton. ¡°To come in and dominate so quickly says a lot.¡±
Drafted ninth overall in 2023, Dollander held off on pitching in the Minors until last year, then blew through High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford (a combined 169 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched) and almost made the big league club this spring. He is being called up after one start for Triple-A Albuquerque at Sacramento -- five strikeouts and 79 pitches in four innings on Sunday.
¡°I hoped that it wouldn¡¯t be long [in Triple-A] -- didn¡¯t think it would be this quick, but I¡¯m ready for it,¡± Dollander said.
Manager Bud Black is excited by Dollander¡¯s talent level.
"He¡¯s got a good, live arm,¡± Black said. ¡°We saw him in Spring Training. I liked the stuff. It¡¯s real stuff. It¡¯s a good fastball with velocity. He can spin the ball and has a little bit of feel for a change. I¡¯m looking forward to watching this unfold, watch his career. I like watching young players. I like trying to help young players.¡±
The move is occurring quicker than expected.
The left shoulder soreness that forced Austin Gomber to begin the year on a Minor League rehab assignment cropped up after one start for Albuquerque, with Gomber unable to make a start on Wednesday. Black said Gomber likely will not do any throwing for a week, and it will be 2-3 weeks before he is pitching again.
So rather than slide righty long reliever Bradley Blalock into the rotation on Sunday, which was an option, Black decided to introduce Dollander -- as a rotation member, not just as a one-shot fill-in. The move will become official when he is added to the 40-man Major League and 26-man active rosters.
The reason he began the year in Triple-A cropped up in his lone start. He walked two and ran deep enough counts that he exhausted his pitch count before qualifying for a win.
But Dollander¡¯s Major League talent level also showed. The six hits he gave up included two doubles -- one by Jake Lamb, a seasoned Major Leaguer. But he yielded just one run and struck out more than a batter an inning.
Maybe the Major Leagues represent the best place for Dollander to improve his efficiency.
"You can put up some zeros in the Minor Leagues through some inefficiencies, but here in the big leagues it catches up to you, because you¡¯re facing really good players,¡± Black said. ¡°But he¡¯ll learn through experience.¡±
At least Dollander is not being asked to save the rotation. The Rockies dropped to 1-6 with Friday's 6-3, 11-inning loss to the Athletics in the cold, snowy Coors opener, and their starters have combined for a 1.64 ERA.
"We had six really good starts -- I¡¯m proud of those guys,¡± Black said. ¡°My message to him when we talk tomorrow will be just be yourself. He¡¯s got a good head on his shoulders.¡±
Helton is staying around an extra day, also, to see Dollander¡¯s demeanor, which can carry him through the days of learning at the Major League level.
"He takes it seriously,¡± Helton said. ¡°He battles. He has a little attitude. We need people like that.¡±