Gomber embracing leadership role: 'You find yourself transforming'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. ¨C Four seasons of trial and error, production and pain and learning and unlearning have led to left-hander Austin Gomber going from student to much-needed educator in the Rockies¡¯ rotation.

Gomber struck out a career-high 116 and pitched to a respectable 4.75 ERA last season. More meaningful were three other highwater marks -- 30 starts, 12 quality starts and 165 innings pitched. The year answered durability questions that arose when he finished 2021 and '23 on the 60-day injured list with back injuries and made just 17 starts among his 33 appearances in '22.

With a group of talented prospects trying to make a mark, Gomber, 31, has found himself answering the questions.

¡°It¡¯s funny how quickly that thing changes,¡± Gomber said Tuesday, as Rockies pitchers and catchers reported in anticipation of Thursday¡¯s first official Spring Training workout. ¡°Not too long ago, I was the young player. But you look around the clubhouse and there are only a handful of guys that have been here the whole time I¡¯ve been here. You find yourself transforming.¡±

Gomber¡¯s transformation is happening as he reaches a career crossroads. After agreeing to a one-year, $6.35 million contract on Jan. 9 to avoid arbitration, Gomber is eligible for free agency after this season.

It¡¯s not just Gomber. Righty Germ¨¢n M¨¢rquez is at the end of his latest contract extension. Lefty Kyle Freeland and righty Antonio Senzatela have two years left on their deals, although Freeland¡¯s contract has an option that vests should he reach 170 innings in ¡®26, and Senzatela¡¯s has a club option. Time is narrowing for this quartet to spearhead a turnaround for a club that has had six consecutive losing seasons.

The pitchers who are asking advice from Gomber and other veterans are pushing for their opportunities. Righty Chase Dollander, MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 25 prospect, and lefty Carson Palmquist, who ended 2024 as the Rockies¡¯ No. 14 prospect, will compete this spring to break camp with the big club.

Gomber hopes the prospects will benefit from what he has learned about pitching for the Rockies in Denver¡¯s unique atmosphere -- everything from offseason workouts to judicious work between starts to effort level during tight spots in games.

¡°I think there is a path for us to compete this year, absolutely,¡± Gomber said. ¡°But if we can¡¯t compete this year, I still would like to be able to contribute to winning for the Rockies somehow. Maybe if that isn¡¯t on the field, maybe it¡¯s chaperoning guys like Dollander, Palmquist and the other young pitchers, helping them have success.¡±

A durable body and a curious mind can go a long way.

¡°I had Greg Maddux at the end, and Maddux was as inquisitive as anybody,¡± manager Bud Black said. ¡°¡®Gombie is at the point now where he truly understands his stuff and what makes him successful, and that¡¯s a good feeling as a pitcher. He¡¯s still going to make adjustments, but there¡¯s a sense of experience that we all feel good about with him.¡±

In 2021 after arriving as part of the trade that sent star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals, Gomber achieved a 2.09 ERA in nine starts at Coors Field ¨C a record for a Colorado pitcher in his first nine home starts. The '22 season saw Gomber struggle at home (5.25 ERA) and on the road (5.98).

After an unsightly 12.12 ERA through four starts in 2023, Gomber opened up about the pressure he felt from being part of the contentious and high-profile Arenado trade. After he aired that burden, Gomber went 9-5 with a 4.62 ERA the rest of the season.

Last season, Gomber limited walks to 2.07 per nine innings -- fifth best among qualified National League pitchers. He posted a 0.68 ERA in four May starts, a club record for pitchers with that many starts in a month. There were rough patches in June (9.39 ERA) and July (5.27), but he had six quality starts in his final 10 outings.

Gomber¡¯s key trait was adjusting strategy between home and road. He had seven quality starts on the road, when he took advantage of favorable pitch action, but he managed five quality starts at home -- where pitch movement is reduced.

¡°I¡¯ve understood as I¡¯ve been here that you do have to be two different pitchers -- at least as a starter, because I¡¯m trying to throw six, seven innings, trying to go through a lineup multiple times,¡± Gomber said. ¡°Game plan-wise, there are different ways you have to attack, and I¡¯ve gotten better at understanding my recipe for success at altitude versus on the road.¡±