Dollander getting plenty of homework from tough ST outings

SCOTTSDALE Ariz. -- Part of evaluating a pitcher who is going to be a big part of a team's future is seeing what happens when things go wrong. That means Saturday afternoon¡¯s struggles of Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander, the No. 25 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, provided information that could prove valuable.

In just 1 2/3 innings of an 8-1 loss to the Athletics, Dollander gave up five runs on two hits and four walks, and threw 50 pitches.

Even with five veteran starters, Rockies manager Bud Black has said all camp that Dollander, 23, has a chance to make the Opening Day rotation. But Black believes it's about more.

The 2023 ninth overall MLB Draft pick out of the University of Tennessee, Dollander had a stellar first pro season at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford in ¡®24. This spring, however, is about introducing him to Major League hitters.

Saturday, Dollander's four-seam fastball was consistently around 97 mph, but pinpoint location was lacking. His curve and slider were not sharp. Still, his basic stuff may have been good enough against Minor Leaguers.

That wasn't true with the Athletics, who sent a split squad to play in Las Vegas, but still had a veteran and professional group at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Leadoff batter Max Schuemann ran the game's first at-bat to eight pitches before popping out. The day didn't get easier.

After leaving the contest, Dollander took pitching coach Darryl Scott's observations as homework assignments.

¡°I talked to D-Scott afterwards and figured I was yanking a little bit,¡± Dollander said. ¡°So I plan to work on it in my bullpens and get ready for the next one. Kind of to flush this one and keep going.

¡°They're definitely more selective. They're trained to be that way. They're big leaguers for a reason. So they know the zone. But in my case, you kind of have to set them up to be able to swing out of the zone. I didn't really do a good job of that today.¡±

Call it another portion of a class that¡¯s continually in session.

Dollander's first two starts were mostly pleasant. However, he yielded three home runs -- to the Giants¡¯ Jung Hoo Lee in his Cactus League debut, and to the Diamondbacks¡¯ Eugenio Su¨¢rez and A.J. Vukovich. Lee's homer came on a pitch that would have been in danger anywhere in professional baseball. The others were close to good locations, but where he wants to pitch requires a higher execution level.

All of the runs off Dollander came in a second inning that included opposite-way doubles by left-handed hitters Seth Brown and Drew Avans, two walks and a wild pitch.

As far as Black is concerned, don¡¯t call it a disappointment. Call it an experience.

¡°Chase is going against lineups that are a little bit more talented than what he's seen in the lower Minor Leagues,¡± Black said. ¡°So it's good for him to see the at-bats, see the more discriminating hitter. He'll take pitches they might not expand the zone. And location and throwing strikes is very important for a Major League pitcher.

¡°He's learning the importance of repeating the delivery. When he mentions yanking some pitches, he's sort of pulling off, and everything is headed towards the left-handed hitter¡¯s batter¡¯s box. These are things he can straighten out for sure. So get the delivery in order. Be able to repeat it. And I think the pitch consistency will occur.¡±

Dollander¡¯s next chance to apply the early Cactus League lessons will be on Thursday against the Guardians.

¡°I love being able to face the best competition,¡± Dollander said. ¡°Obviously, that¡¯s the only way you¡¯re going to get better -- we face good hitters. And I¡¯m very excited to be able to keep going to the next one.¡±