This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding¡¯s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- The Rockies plan to turn 2024¡¯s repeated ninth-inning struggles into 2025¡¯s opportunity for young relief pitchers.

The 7.10 ninth-inning ERA was highest in baseball -- 1.22 runs higher than the next club, the Blue Jays. The Rockies set a Modern Era (since 1900) record by blowing six leads of five or more runs in the ninth inning or later.

But can those who experienced the woes learn from them?

Yes, the club continues to seek an experienced reliever, but general manager Bill Schmidt said during this week¡¯s Winter Meetings in Dallas that the Rockies aren¡¯t seeking a proven closer -- more indication that the payroll is tight. But given the impression that some young relievers made during the second half, it¡¯s possible that there is a bargain waiting within.

Rookies Victor Vodnik, Angel Chivilli and Seth Halvorsen all had some success late in games, as well as moments where inexperience caught up to them. They also have the type of power arms that warrant chances to salt away games.

Vodnik, Chivilli, Halvorsen and Jaden Hill (Rockies¡¯ No. 20 ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline) were big reasons Rockies relievers averaged 95.4 mph on four-seam and sinking fastballs after the All-Star break -- the third-highest bullpen velocity average in MLB over that period.

In 97 games before the All-Star break, Rockies relievers threw 110 pitches at 99 mph or greater, which ranked 14th in the Majors. In the 65 games after the break, the Rockies uncorked 173 pitches at 99 mph or greater -- eighth most.

More-experienced relievers Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence had the majority of the ninth-inning opportunities last season, and both could be in the closer picture. But each has seen success earlier in games. So why not turn the late innings over to power arms, whether their go-to pitch is a fastball (Vodnik and Halvorsen) or a slider or changeup (Chivilli, who profiles more as a setup man, and Hill)?

Vodnik and Halvorsen bring the greatest heat. Vodnik, 25, a July acquisition from the Braves in 2023, touched 99-plus mph on 198 pitches -- 14th in the Majors -- despite missing three weeks in August and September with right biceps inflammation. Vodnik¡¯s nine saves were tied for second among MLB rookies. Halvorsen, a seventh-round pick out of Tennessee in 2023 who turns 25 on Feb. 18, didn¡¯t debut in the Majors until Aug. 30, but threw 99-plus mph 81 times, good for 23rd.

Before officially becoming the Rockies¡¯ closer, Vodnik experienced some ninth-inning heartbreak. On June 18 against the Dodgers, the Rockies handed Kinley a 9-4 ninth-inning lead before it began to slip away. Vodnik thought he had finished the game, but Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez was ruled to have checked his swing on what would¡¯ve been strike three. Hern¨¢ndez then launched a three-run homer that gave the Dodgers an 11-9 victory. But from his first Major League save on July 6 until his Aug. 18 injury, Vodnik went 9-for-10 on save chances.

Halvorsen impressed when called up and went 2-for-3 on save chances with the first two ninth-inning save opportunities coming during an eventful weekend at Dodger Stadium. He fanned Max Muncy after facing loaded bases -- via a hit and two walks -- for his first save on Sept. 21, then gave up a two-run, walk-off homer to Mookie Betts the next day.

¡°As far as our dedicated closer just yet, we don't know,¡± Rockies manager Bud Black said. ¡°I thought Halvorsen did a nice job. There were a couple of slip-ups, but I have the memory of him striking out Max Muncy with the bases loaded in Dodger Stadium for a save. I also have memories of the next night too, but you learn from that. I like the stuff, and I like what our player development people have said about him.

¡°Victor got some saves. Victor has a good arm. I remember the check swing, no check swing to Teoscar Hern¨¢ndez. These are things that closers are built on.¡±

Also, No. 28 prospect Zach Agnos, 24, a 10th-round pick out of East Carolina in 2022, went a combined 8-3 with a 1.38 ERA and 17 saves at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. He will receive an invitation to Major League camp for the first time this spring.

¡°Vodnik showed he can pitch late in the game,¡± Schmidt said. ¡°Halverson showed it. Agnos has done it in the Minor Leagues and so has Jaden Hill. Those guys right there have a chance to emerge.¡±