Rockies' young relievers showing potential heading into '25

DETROIT -- A poor first 3 1/3 innings from callup Tanner Gordon led to a 7-4 Rockies' loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park on Wednesday night. But the pitching for the rest of the contest was appropriate for Motown.

That’s because the bullpen brought the type of funk that could be central to forward steps.

The Rockies are eight losses from reaching the century mark for the second straight year. But the last few weeks have seen young relievers -- some that can reach the century mark in MPH and others that have notable pitch movement -- render hope.

After Gordon allowed up 10 hits -- including two homers -- before departing in the fourth, relievers Jake Bird (two innings), Luis Peralta (one) and Angel Chivilli (1 2/3) held the Tigers scoreless for 4 2/3 innings on four hits, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

“This year hasn’t gone the way we planned, but we’re looking forward to next year -- we’ll continue to work, and hopefully good things happen,” Chivilli, who held the Tigers to one hit, said in Spanish, with bullpen catcher Aaron Muñoz interpreting.

Bird, at 28, on this staff could be considered "Old School Funk," with his 138 Major League appearances. Bird burst onto the scene last year in his 70 appearances and is overcoming tough times this year by putting up zeros in five of his last six outings.

The last few weeks has seen the rise of several new but impressive relievers. Rookies have been a major part of a bullpen that has posted a 2.35 ERA over the last 11 games. The relief ERA for that period was barely above 1.00 before Tuesday’s 11-0 loss to the Tigers, when Anthony Molina -- a Rule 5 pick who is more a future starter in training than a true reliever -- gave up a career-high-tying six runs.

Peralta, 23, and Chivili, 22, began this year in the Minors and have 30 appearances between them -- with Chivilli logging 23 in his four trips to the Majors.

Peralta, who began the year in Single-A with the Pirates and arrived in a Trade Deadline swap for veteran lefty Jalen Beeks, has found himself pitching in mostly close games, and hasn’t given up a run in seven innings. The Rockies made Wednesday competitive with Ryan McMahon’s 19th homer of the season -- a second-inning solo shot -- and a three-run fifth.

“It’s electric to be in the game and try to help the team win in those situations,” Peralta said through Muñoz. “If they get me, they get me. But I go out there and attack, and I want to get them, too.”

The three relievers of Wednesday use similar approaches. All are capable of fastballs in the 95-97 mph range and the capability of pitching down in the zone. Bird is best when using his heavy sinker, Peralta has proven capable of spotting his four-seam fastball on either side, and Chivilli popped his sinker at a top speed of 97.6 mph on Wednesday, but relies on weak contact on his changeup and slider.

The bullpen goes deeper. Jeff Criswell, 25, who was converted to relief this year at Triple-A Albuquerque, averages 95.7 mph on his fastball and is effective when he keeps the ball down. Rookie righty Victor Vodnik -- who recently returned from the IL after dealing with right biceps inflammation -- and recent callups Seth Halvorsen and Jaden Hill have flashed triple digits on their fastballs.

“Those are good signs, what we’re seeing out of the bullpen,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “It bodes well for the future. All these guys that have come up are doing a nice job keeping the ball down, changing speeds and using their secondary pitches, along with velocity. So it’s promising.”