Colorado Rockies News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Colorado Rockies left fielder Randal Grichuk. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies: Stock up, stock down

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 7/26/23

At 40-61, the Colorado Rockies are currently the worst team in the National League. With 61 games left, they are on pace for their worst season in franchise history and are heading towards a long rebuilding phase after striking out in free agency over the past few seasons. The Rockies could accelerate the rebuild by shipping out valuable pieces at the trade deadline to help stockpile their farm system.

Here are the Rockies trending up and down in 2023.

Stock up

Randal Grichuk, outfielder: Grichuk has been one of the few players trending up during a tough 2023 season in Colorado. He's posted a .313/.370/.487 slash line with six home runs and 25 RBI in 60 games played. Currently on a nine-game hitting streak, his power has also started to come back over the last 15 games, with four of his home runs coming in that time.

With 17 or more home runs in all of his big league seasons except the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Rockies should be able to get a solid return from the 10-year veteran.

GOING. GONE. GRICH. pic.twitter.com/HarLOiMoN4
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 23, 2023

Justin Lawrence, pitcher: The Rockies are a team starved for pitching and Lawrence has been one of the few having a good year in Colorado.

In 44 appearances he has a 3-4 record with a 2.94 ERA while converting seven of his nine save opportunities on the season. After posting a 4-1 record with a 6.52 ERA in 57 appearances over his first two seasons in the MLB, he is finally showing the potential that has kept him around despite the rough start to his career.

Known for his funky sidearm delivery, Lawrence is a unique talent out of the bullpen and could be a crucial pickup for a postseason contender at the trade deadline.

Justin Lawrence has recorded 5 of the #Rockies last 7 saves. Lawrence in July:

8 IP
0 ER
0.38 WHIP
8:2 K:BB
2 SV

He probably has closer role ROS, especially with Suter & Hand also likely to be dealt (Pierce Johnson was traded to ATL today) by the 8/1 deadline.
— Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe) July 24, 2023

Stock down

Kris Bryant, outfielder: Signed to a seven-year, $182M contract in the 2022 offseason, Bryant has been one of the biggest disappointments in the MLB over the past two seasons.

The former Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player award winner has only managed a .273/.353/.417 slash line with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 107 games played for the Rockies since joining them.

After averaging .278/.376/.504 with 24 home runs and 70 RBI during the first seven years of his career, Bryant has failed to come close to that production and is looking like one of the worst free-agent signings in recent history.

Austin Gomber, pitcher: Despite a recent run of success over his last seven starts, Gomber has struggled to become the pitcher they Rockies envisioned he would be after he came over as one of the major pieces in the Nolan Arenado trade.

Currently 8-8 with a 5.83 ERA, Gomber has struggled massively with giving up the long ball. With 22 home runs given up in 102 innings pitched, Gomber leads the National League in runs allowed with 70.

Since joining the Rockies he has failed to produce, going 22-24 with a 5.30 ERA in 348 innings pitched. Gomber might be running out of time to prove himself in Colorado.

More must-reads: