Colorado Rockies Option Former Northwestern Pitcher to Triple-A

Sean Sullivan's promotion to the MLB last month was a promising moment for the Colorado Rockies, but his play since reaching the big leagues has been... rocky.

The former Northwestern ace has been optioned back down to Triple-A after struggling on the mound. In a corresponding move, Colorado called up right-hander TJ Shook, who made his MLB debut against the Brewers on Monday.

Sullivan went 0-3 over five starts, compiling an 8.87 ERA with 16 strikeouts to 11 walks. He held the Athletics scoreless in his three-inning debut on June 12, but significantly underwhelmed in the four following outings.

The 23-year-old southpaw gave up eight earned runs on nine hits in his next appearance, an 8-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Sullivan proceeded to allow eight combined runs against the Red Sox and Marlins before his most recent performance on July 4.

On Saturday night, Sullivan went 5 2/3 innings with six earned runs on 12 hits, four strikeouts and two walks. Half of those runs came in the first inning, and he later gave up a solo home run to Bryce Eldridge in the third. Sullivan ended up reaching a career-high 105 pitches in the 6-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Now, the left-hander heads down to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he started 11 games this spring.

Sullivan began his collegiate career at Northwestern in 2022. As a freshman, he led the Wildcats with 78 strikeouts, went 5-2 and had a 4.45 ERA.

He then transferred to Wake Forest, where Sullivan became one of the top pitchers in the NCAA. As a key contributor for one of the top pitching rotations in the country, Sullivan earned Second Team All-American and First Team All-ACC honors. The Demon Deacons were the No. 1 team in the nation and reached the quarterfinals of the Men's College World Series.

Sullivan struck out 111 batters in 2023 — the third-most in the ACC — and recorded just a 2.23 ERA. His excellence led to the Rockies drafting him with the No. 46 overall pick. In four seasons of Minor League Baseball, Sullivan compiled a 24-11 record with a 3.08 ERA.

There are seven former Northwestern Wildcats playing Minor League Baseball: Sullivan, RHP Tyler Uberstine (Red Sox, Triple-A), CF Ethan O'Donnell (Miami Marlins, Triple-A), 1B Jay Beshears (Miami Marlins, Double-A), C Michael Trautwein (Cincinnati Reds, Double-A), OF Stephen Hrustich (Detroit Tigers, High-A) and RHP Ben Grable (New York Yankees, Double-A).