The Rockies announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Jaden Hill. Left-hander Evan Justice was optioned to Triple-A to open an active roster spot. Right-hander Dakota Hudson was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man.
Hill, now 24, was selected in 2021 draft. The Rockies grabbed him that year with a pick in the second round, with Hill going 44th overall. That was despite a notable injury history that was already in place. As noted by Baseball America, Hill missed a lot of time during his college years due to elbow problems and eventually required Tommy John surgery in 2021. His stock faded going into the draft but the Rockies took a chance on him.
He was able to get back onto the mound in 2022, making his professional debut with brief stints in Rookie ball and Single-A. Last year, he made 16 High-A starts and logged 43 2/3 innings with mixed results. On the positive side, he struck out 26.3% of batters faced and got grounders on 52.4% of balls in play. His 11.5% walk rate was a tad high but not disastrous, and perhaps understandable for a guy still working back from major surgery. But he allowed 11 home runs in that small sample, ballooning his ERA to 9.48. His 6.63 FIP was far better but still not a good mark.
Here in 2024, the Rockies have moved him to a relief role, with some good results. He started the year at Double-A, logging 38 1/3 innings over 34 appearances. In that time, he had a 3.52 ERA, 32.9% strikeout rate, 6.5% walk rate and 50% ground ball rate.
He was promoted to Triple-A and his results there have yielded another mixed bag. In seven innings over seven appearances in the Pacific Coast League, he has struck out 34.2% of batters faced and kept 52.9% of balls on the ground. But he’s also walked 15.8% of batters faced and allowed eight earned runs for a 10.29 ERA. His .500 batting average on balls in play and 57.7% strand rate didn’t help, but the free passes also clearly played a role.
The Rockies are playing out the string on another lost season and Hill was going to be Rule 5 eligible this winter anyway. They will give him his roster spot now and use some of their remaining games to get him acclimated to the majors and see how his stuff plays at the top level. BA currently lists him as the club’s #26 prospect, noting that his fastball can hit the high 90s with a slider and a changeup in the mix.
As for Hudson, he landed on the 15-day IL August 11 due to right elbow inflammation. The club hasn’t provided any updates on his status since then but it appears they don’t expect him to make a return this year, based on the transfer to the 60-day. He can be retained for 2025 via arbitration but he has a 6.17 ERA on the year and was passed through waivers in July, before being re-selected to the roster. Given his rough year and uncertain health status, the Rockies could non-tender him instead.
I am excited by his strikeout arm, but I am very scared by his walk numbers and his propensity to give up runs. Striking out the side is nice, but giving up two runs in between is not so nice.
That feels like the Jack Leiter experience so far. If they could have a bit more control could be solid starters, or outside chance at ace, but so far those wishes aren’t horses, but even more pitches out of the strike zone.
Similar make up, but Hill is a reliever. I believe the Rockies view him as the future closer. He has the stuff for the role, but he needs work on his control. But he is young and has time to learn.
Zach Agnos and Collin Baumgartner are pitching better in the minors this season compared to Jaden Hill. They should have been called up before Hill.
Neither of them are Rule 5 eligible after the season and won’t have to be put on the 40 man this offseason. No point in burning an option year and taking up a roster space if you don’t really have to. They’ll both have a chance next spring to make the club.
Hill has a higher ceiling. They want to give their top picks a look.
And his floor is in the basement. Look at the hits/9 and Riley Pint-like walks/9. Egad!
Sure, but it’s been shown time and time again that organizations–especially rebuilding ones–prioritize ceiling over floor.
Agnos has been outstanding. If he’s healthy next year, a callup is very possible.
The Rockies always have a new hill to climb.
Rockies have 19 more wins than the W Sox.
That’s surprising. Smoke and mirrors.
Team is so bad
Rockies don’t seem to have any direction except circular .
westcasey: What you said about the Rockies is not true. The Rockies are rebuilding, with a core of great defense/ decent hitting young position players who are getting everyday playing time thus season. Meanwhile, they’ve acquired, through trades and the draft, a lot of young pitchers. Yes, the Rockies have more off-season work to do regarding acquiring veteran relief pitching, in particular. The bottom line is that there is reason to be realistically hopeful about the Rockies.
Yeah, he ain’t ready. It’s like the front office has not heard of Riley Pint. But maybe the Rockies are just trying to get his feet wet in September to prepare him for next year when they really want him contributing.