Rockies’ Chase Dollander could finally break out — here’s why

The Colorado Rockies need a reason for hope.

Chase Dollander, the promising right-handed pitcher, is that reason.

Even after a brutal 2025 season, Dollander can become a stalwart of this rotation.

And yeah, it was bad. He was 2-12 in 21 starts with a 6.52 ERA. He has to be better.

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ESPN's Alden Gonzalez has singled Dollander out as a guy the Rockies have to hope for better from starting with this spring.

"Dollander has been highly thought of by two different front office groups in Colorado," Gonzalez writes, providing reason to believe.

And then he breaks down what could be different.

"As a rookie last year, Dollander made 21 starts in a rotation that put up the highest starters' ERA in baseball history," Gonzalez writes. "He struggled at mile-high altitude, as most tend to, but he was solid on the road, putting up a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings. A new baseball operations department led by Paul DePodesta believes he can take a big step forward this season. The Rockies need him to."

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Those road stats really are the key, aren't they? They show that the promising stuff Dollander possesses is for real.

Pitchers have to figure out Coors Field. Some never do.

But Dollander is the Rockies' best hope in the rotation. They just have to cross their fingers that his positive mindset and work ethic can make it all come together.

If it does, Colorado might actually take at least some level of step forward.

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