From DFA'd multiple times to a spring sensation, Ryan Rolison is re-inventing himself. The Cubs' pitching lab could be his redemption.
Left-handed reliever Ryan Rolison had a very interesting offseason.
The Colorado Rockies first designated him for assignment back on November 18. Rolison really struggled in his rookie season last year, finishing with a 7.02 ERA across 42 ⅔ innings pitched. The southpaw spent half of the season with the Rockies and spent the other half in the Minors.
One day after the Rockies designated him for assignment, the Atlanta Braves traded for him in exchange for cash considerations. However, the Braves would designate him for assignment a few weeks later on December 11.
That led to the Chicago White Sox eventually claiming Rolison off waivers on December 12. Unfortunately, his stint with the White Sox lasted less than two weeks, as the team designated him for assignment on December 23.
That’s when the Chicago Cubs came into play. The North Siders claimed Rolison off waivers on January 7, and he has since remained with the team.
There’s no doubt that Rolison is not a complete pitcher. He struggled in the Majors last year, and the southpaw didn’t show a lot of encouraging things in those 42 ⅔ innings of work. He ranked in the bottom half of the league in expected batting average against (.284), strikeout rate (13%), barrel rate (9.5%), and chase rate (24.4%).
The 28-year-old obviously needed a lot of work in the offseason. But if there’s any team that can fix a pitcher, it’s the Cubs' pitching lab duo of Tommy Hottovy and Tyler Zombro.
In the early part of spring, it appears the Cubs have tweaked some of Rolison's mechanics. He has pitched well in his first two Spring Training games, and his fastball velocity is way up from a season ago.
Rolison only averaged 92.9 mph on his four-seam fastball with the Rockies last year. His fastball velocity in his first two spring games has hovered around 95.5 mph. That’s a noticeable 2.6 mph difference.
On top of that increased fastball velocity, both his curveball and changeup are also up in velocity. His changeup is sitting around 90.6 mph (up 3.3 mph), and his curveball is averaging 82.4 mph (up 2.9 mph).
Even though the Cubs are only one week into Spring Training games, Rolison has definitely been a big surprise. He has thrown two scoreless innings with one hit allowed in his two appearances out of the bullpen.
It’s clear that Rolison has turned some heads early in spring, as Cubs insider Bruce Levine reported that the southpaw has “caught the attention of manager Craig Counsell.”
With one bullpen spot up for grabs heading into the season, Rolison could earn that final spot if he continues to pitch well during Spring Training.