Colorado Rockies: Is The Juan Nicasio We’re Seeing In Spring Training For Real?

Sep 22, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio (12) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Juan Nicasio has been a pitcher that could make you scratch your head at times due to inconsistency pounding the zone or could wow you with his fastball and ability to strike hitters out. Nicasio believes he is healthier than ever and his Spring Training statistics are correlating to just that. In an interview before the spring with Rockies beat writer Patrick Saunders, Nicasio said his fastball hit 98 miles per hour in winter ball. He also added a split-finger fastball to his repertoire which can be effective against left-handed batters.

Nicasio dazzled in what appears to be his final appearance of the spring, throwing five scoreless innings while striking out seven batters and only walking one. But the most impressive stat would have to be Nicasio not allowing a hit. It appears that the left knee that was sore all of last season appears to be healthy as Nicasio is hitting his spots. This could be a good sign for a Colorado Rockies staff that will be without top pitcher Jhoulys Chacin for a couple of starts to begin the season as he is rehabbing from shoulder inflammation. Jorge De La Rosa will slide into the ace role as he will take the hill for Opening Day against the Miami Marlins.

Brett Anderson was a key addition in the offseason and he too has pitched excellent in his five starts this spring. The southpaw has gone 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA, giving up just eight earned runs in 22.0 innings of work. The rotation to begin the season against the Miami Marlins may look something like Jorge De La Rosa, Brett Anderson, and Tyler Chatwood. Followed in the next series with Juan Nicasio and Franklin Morales or Jordan Lyles.

Either way you look at it, this rotation the Rockies possess with Chacin, De La Rosa, Anderson, Chatwood, and Nicasio can be dangerous. Don’t forget about Morales, Lyles, Eddie Butler, and Jon Gray lurking in the wings. Gray and Butler have the potential to be number one and two starters in the league for years to come and are getting the exposure they deserve. I hate to say it but it looks like Colorado’s management has set-up a nice rotation for the time being and the future to come.