Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, May 8th, 2025
It’s hard to pitch at elevation.
That’s a refrain so familiar to us Colorado Rockies enthusiasts that it almost loses meaning. Still, it is because we’re so used to hearing this complaint valued feedback about our beloved Coors Field that it makes those who can conquer its spaciousness that much more impressive.
Several pitchers have, at one time or another, seemingly been able to find the secret method to success at the game’s literal highest level. Fan favorites such as Jorge De La Rosa, Ubaldo Jiménez, and Jeff Francis did so, at least for a bit, but precious few Colorado relief pitchers have enjoyed such success.
Right now, Jake Bird finds himself among their number.
Before the start of play on Wednesday, Bird has appeared in 14 games thus far in 2025, and has posted absolutely dazzling numbers in those appearances. A 2.21 ERA, 29 strikeouts in 20 1⁄3 innings of work, and an eye-opening 211 ERA+ — these are stats that any postseason-bound club would love to boast of in their bullpen. While the rest of Colorado’s pitching staff tries to find their footing amid a brutal start to the season, why does Bird fly so high?
Let’s look at the changes he’s made since last time out.
Bird has refined his pitching arsenal, using his slider more while still employing his sinker as a solid section option. Using his cutter sparingly has worked out well, as this pitch has typically been hit hard by opposing batters in the past. A nasty curveball has been Bird’s greatest weapon, as this pitch has only been hit once thus far and more generates swings and misses than any other pitch in his arsenal. There’s no doubt that this curve has been the catalyst to his early success.
Baseball Savant
His pitches are showing more movement than he’s been previously able to generate as his slider is breaking always almost seven inches more than most comparable pitches, while his curveball drops almost five full inches more than his contemporaries’. The movement that he’s generating from his main assortment has baffled opposing hitters, as he’s been able to get more out-of-the-zone swings, more whiffs, and less contact than any of his previous years in MLB.
That’s… very good.
It hasn’t been all smiles for Bird, of course. The drawback to having such excellent stuff is that even you may not be sure where exactly the ball is going to end up once it leaves your hand. That’s been the case for our right-handed hurler, who’s been extremely prone to allowing free passes.
His 13 walks lead the team, even amongst starting pitchers. Despite such strong work overall, Bird finds himself in the bottom 6 percentile of all MLB pitchers in terms of walk rate. While his pitching seems to be evolving and reaching a new level of proficiency, keeping his stuff in the strike zone and tightening things up will be crucial.
Bird has only allowed runs in three of his appearances thus far, but in those three outings, he allowed nine walks, including a tough time recently against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. Solve the walks? Bird seemingly becomes untouchable.
It’s early, to be sure, but Jake Bird seems to be taking the steps to becoming a genuine lockdown reliever. The walks need to come down, but the stuff is clearly there. He’s been utilized extensively in the past, and honed his talons to the razor-sharp edge he’s displaying in the early parts of this season.
Either way, it’s been a very exciting intro to 2025 for Bird. Let’s hope he can keep soaring as the season continues.
★ ★ ★
On the farm
Triple-A: Oklahoma City Comets 7, Albuquerque Isotopes 6
A slugfest took place in OKC Tuesday morning as the Comets edged the Isotopes late for the win.
The Isotopes started off hot with a three-run top of the first inning when Ryan Ritter and Keston Hiura both homered. Unfortunately, the Comets came right back with a three-run bottom of the frame as Esteury Ruiz, Dalton Rushing, and Ryan Ward all homered in response.
The teams continued to trade runs until Oklahoma City finally scored the deciding run in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Peralta continues to struggle in Triple-A as he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks without securing an out. He now owns an 18.00 ERA.
Connor Van Scoyoc took the L after allowing the winning run.
Double-A: New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2, Hartford Yard Goats 1 (Game One of doubleheader)
Hartford Yard Goats 4, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2 (Game Two of doubleheader)
The Fisher Cats and Yard Goats split their doubleheader. Gabriel Hughes pitched well in game one, allowing just two runs on two hits and two walks to seven strikeouts, but Hartford couldn’t figure out CJ Van Eyk and found themselves unable to score more than once.
In the second contest of the day, the Yard Goats put up three runs early thanks to big hits from GJ Hill and Ben McCabe and never relinquished the lead. Victor Juarez tossed three excellent innings of relief en route to securing the afternoon victory for his squad.
High-A: Spokane Indians 9, Vancouver Canadians 7
Plenty of offense to go around in this one as the two teams combined for 16 runs, but it was Spokane who came out on top.
Jared Thomas led the way with three hits, a walk, and three runs scored. Braylen Wimmer and Aidan Longwell also had multi-hit games, while Skyler Messinger homered for the third time this season.
While McCade Brown and Stu Flesland III had tough outings (allowing four and three runs respectively), the trio of Alan Perdomo, Welinton Herrera, and Hunter Omlid managed to keep the Canadians off the scoreboard for the last 3 2⁄3 innings of the high-scoring contest.
Single-A: Modesto Nuts 6, Fresno Grizzlies 5
After finding themselves facing a 4-0 deficit, the Fresno Grizzlies were able to battle back and tie things up at 5-5. That was largely thanks to a three-run sixth inning that saw Nolan Clifford knock in two runs on a double before stealing home base to square things up.
Still, things were locked in a stalemate after nine innings. Extra innings would be required to determine which team would go home with a win.
Despite Clifford’s heroic efforts, the Grizzlies fell short. Modesto took the lead in the top of the tenth inning and, despite Fresno putting the tying and winning runs on base, struck out the side to collect the win.
★ ★ ★
On the internet
Thanks to Hurdle, McMahon adding purpose back to swing | MLB.com
After a historically tough start to the season, Ryan McMahon seems to be taking the steps to return to the form that earned him an All-Star nomination last year. That may be in thanks partly to new hitting coach Clint Hurdle, who helped to remind the fan-favorite third baseman of who he is and how much he matters to his team.
The Colorado Rockies are off to one of the worst starts in MLB history | NBC News
Speaking of tough starts, NBC News takes the time to crunch the numbers on what’s been a brutal entry into 2025 for your Rockies. Here, they break down not only the statistics behind the team’s on-field play, but also attendance figures and what experts around the sport are saying about a team that’s on their way to making some dubious history.
★ ★ ★
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