The Rockies made their first move of the offseason by claiming recently waived veteran Jalen Beeks. Going into the off-season, it was clear that the biggest need the Rockies had was left-handed pitching. Beeks provides that and comes with some major upside. 

Formerly a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, who know a thing or two about pitching, Beeks was a successful part of their bullpen, having an ERA+ over 100 for three straight seasons before taking a nose dive in 2023. It’s not often that you can pick up a 30-year-old pitcher who is one year removed from being one of the best relievers in baseball, let alone for free. 

Beeks has a repertoire that is highlighted by his changeup and fastball; he throws these 90% of the time. He has the ability to throw cutters and sliders, but those aren’t his bread and butter. His fastball averages a modest 94.3 MPH, while his changeup sits at around 89 MPH. He has a unique way of hiding the ball and getting extra extension on his pitches. These mechanics may look odd, but they work. 

What Went Wrong 

The most significant difference in his play from his dominant 2022 to his struggling 2023 is inconsistency with his changeup. Beeks still had an above-average changeup, but something was off, and the numbers reflect that. The good thing for Rockies fans is that the 2023 season is an outlier, and his changeup is nasty and will be productive. 

All this talk about his changeup and I don’t think that’s the reason he will find success. His fastball is in the bottom tier of the league in spin rate. On the surface, this may look like a bad thing, but this exact pitch works perfectly at Coors and has made guys like German Marquez successful, even at Coors Field. 

Why You Should Be Excited 

This move took zero risk, and the Rockies got one hell of a player out of it. Around the league, every team needs bullpen arms, and I doubt the Rockies were the only team with a waiver wire with a claim on him. The Rockies added value without giving up anything, which for a rebuilding team is all you can ask for.