Top pitching prospect continues to impress in pursuit of Rockies rotation spot

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In what was scheduled to be his next-to-last spring start, Chase Dollander continued to show why so many within the Colorado Rockies organization believe he has a bright future.

Dollander, ranked as the top pitching prospect in the Colorado organization, struck out seven and allowed just two hits over 3.2 innings against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out the side in the first and finished off his night with a five-pitch strikeout of Giants catcher Max Stassi that showcased an electric fastball and curveball with plenty of motion.

"In my opinion, what I need to do better is just get ahead of hitters and attack," said Dollander, selected ninth overall by the Rockies in the 2023 MLB draft. "I felt like, at times, I was trying to be too cute with it. I know my stuff is going to play, so I just need to get in the zone and see how quick I can get to 1-0 and go from there."

Making his fifth spring start, Dollander has now thrown 7.2 scoreless innings over his last two appearances, registering 10 strikeouts and allowing just four hits. After giving up three homers in his first three outings, Dollander has now dropped his spring ERA to 5.65.

Dollander has been considered a possibility to open the season with the Rockies throughout the spring, despite Colorado returning a veteran-laden rotation heading into Opening Day on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 28. With Austin Gomber, however, reportedly heading to the injured list to open the season, a spot could potentially open up for Dollander. However, with Colorado's schedule that includes an off day in the midst of the team's second series of the season (in Philadelphia against the Phillies), the Rockies could also go with a four-man rotation through the first eight games of the campaign, essentially skipping Gomber's spot thanks to the day off.

Whatever the future may hold, Dollander said he isn't worried about a trip to Tampa right now. His focus remains on his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, and using that to finish his first major league camp strong.

"Just working on getting ahead of ahead of hitters and attacking getting the zone, especially early in game," Dollander said of his goals for the next and final spring start. "I feel like the first inning is kind of me trying to find my groove, so I guess my goal will be finding my groove earlier. Other than that, it's just continuing to keep building and keep learning."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.