SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The assignment for Rockies No. 1 prospect Chase Dollander (MLB Pipeline No. 25) Thursday against the Guardians was to demonstrate that he could correct himself after giving up five runs on four walks and two hits last Saturday.

Dollander began Thursday’s game by walking Guardians leadoff hitter Brayan Rocchio, then aced the remainder of the exam by tossing four scoreless innings with three strikeouts in the Rockies’ 6-4 victory at Salt River Fields.

“I’m proud of the way I was able to really slow down today, make sure that I’m getting in the zone, and attack with my stuff,” Dollander said. “I thought the offspeed looked a lot better than it has, so I’m excited to build on it."

The belief all along has been that the 23-year-old, drafted ninth overall out of Tennessee in 2023, has the ability to handle challenges. It’s why Dollander is being evaluated for the Major League season-opening rotation, even though the Rockies could return their entire quintet from ‘24.

“Overall, he threw the ball very well,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “I was looking for a repeatable delivery. I saw it. He was under control. The fastball had life and location. I thought he threw some really good fastballs at the knees. The slower breaking ball in the high 70s is a great separator from his mid-90s fastball.”

The three homers Dollander allowed in his first two starts and the poor mechanics and control he showed against the Athletics on Saturday weren’t disqualifiers, but tests to see how he’ll handle inevitable Major League setbacks. One way to fix himself is to mind the task, and not dream of the possible reward.

“That’s something I got away from the past two outings,” Dollander said. “Leading up to this outing, I made sure to repeat to myself -- saying it out loud was huge -- ‘Just be present, be where your feet are, work on what you need to work on and get in your routines.’”

It was his first time working with veteran catcher Jacob Stallings, who quickly determined how he could help Dollander.

“I was telling Darryl [Scott, Rockies pitching coach] I felt like my [pitch-calling] rhythm was a little quick from him. I slowed myself down to quicken him up so we were in a little bit more of a flow within the pitch. After that he was pretty much great all day.”

FINDING HIS OWN RHYTHM
Stallings struggled to find a groove during his batting practice, but teammates Ryan McMahon and Nolan Jones gave solid pointers and inspirations. Then Stallings launched two home runs.

“I haven’t done that since A-ball,” Stallings said.

BIRD MAKES HIS CASE
Righty Jake Bird, being challenged by several relievers for a multi-inning role, struck out three and held the Guardians to one hit while pitching the seventh and eighth. He erased the hit by forcing Yordys Valdes into a double-play grounder in the eighth.

Multiple candidates are auditioning for a multi-inning role. Bird has held opponents scoreless in five of his six outings.

GOOD OUTFIELD DAY
Non-roster candidate Nick Martini started in left field and went 3-for-3; he is currently hitting .379 this spring.

“He’s a veteran player,” Black said. “He knows what he can do and he’s doing it. He’s not trying to do too much. There’s some intensity to Nick. So far, he’s been great on the team.”

Martini is competing for starts in the outfield or as the designated hitter.

Second-year player Jordan Beck is searching for the consistency that comes with being dependable against the fastball, which made his two-run homer off a Hunter Gaddis' 95.8 mph fastball a solid sign.

Jones, also seeking consistent contact, doubled to the opposite gap in the fifth and is batting .263 with the quality of contact incrementally improving.