The Colorado Rockies have signed right-hander Jake Woodford to a minor league deal, per MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. The agreement likely includes an invitation to major league Spring Training, where Woodford will compete for a role in the rotation or bullpen.
Woodford, 28, was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2015 and debuted in the majors during the shortened 2020 season, posting a 5.57 ERA in 21 innings. Over the next two seasons, he delivered solid results, with a combined 3.26 ERA in 2021 and 3.93 FIP in 2022 across 116 innings split between starts and relief appearances. However, his low strikeout rate (15.4%) remained a concern.
In 2023, Woodford’s performance declined, resulting in a 6.23 ERA over 47 2/3 innings with the Cardinals, as his strikeout rate dropped further to 13.1% and his walk rate increased to 9.1%. Following his non-tender by St. Louis, he signed a minor league deal with the White Sox, appearing briefly in May but struggling in two starts. After being designated for assignment, Woodford joined the Pirates, where he posted a 7.09 ERA over seven appearances. Despite a 4.07 FIP suggesting some bad luck, his strikeout issues persisted.
Now, Woodford has an opportunity with the Rockies, whose pitching struggles are well-documented due to the challenges of playing at altitude. His career groundball rate of 45.1% aligns with Colorado’s preference for groundball pitchers. However, his inconsistent performance led to a minor league deal, and he’ll need to prove himself in Spring Training or wait for a chance as depth during the season.
The Rockies’ rotation appears set with Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner, and Antonio Senzatela projected to make the Opening Day roster. There’s more competition in the bullpen, giving Woodford a potential pathway to earn a spot if he performs well.
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