In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, young pitchers like Carson Palmquist dream of making their mark. Unfortunately for Palmquist, his debut with the Colorado Rockies hasn’t quite gone as scripted. Called up in mid-May with hopes of fortifying the rotation, the lefty found himself in choppy waters through his first five starts in the big leagues.
This past Thursday marked a turning point, albeit not the one Palmquist would have hoped for. After struggling to find his rhythm on the mound, he was sent back down to the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate. The mood was set as the Rockies announced their roster shuffle, bringing right-hander Anthony Molina back into the fold from Albuquerque.
Molina briefly dazzled in his sole appearance this season, showcasing a clean inning of relief against the Rangers with a strikeout to his name. Though last season, his 6.79 ERA over 35 games might not inspire immediate confidence, this recalibration of the Rockies’ pitching staff hopes to find balance.
Palmquist’s initial MLB journey wasn’t the smooth sailing he might have expected. With an 0-4 record and a hefty 7.77 ERA, he allowed 27 hits and 19 earned runs over 22 innings—statistics that tell the story of a tough stretch for the 24-year-old former Miami Hurricane star. Despite his rocky results, it’s worth noting his collegiate stint displayed an ERA never exceeding 2.89, and a 9-4 breakout in his last season made him one to watch.
Signs of brilliance did peek through during his stint with Colorado. Against the Cubs at the end of May, Palmquist delivered what was arguably his strongest performance, going five innings and fanning four with just three hits allowed. His burgeoning talent made another appearance when he silenced the Mets’ core bats, drawing admiration from fans and analysts alike.
As the Rockies gear up for their final game of a six-game homestand against the San Francisco Giants this Thursday, all eyes will be on how this rotation shift plays out. The first pitch flies at 1:10 p.m. MDT from Coors Field, and with Molina stepping into the spotlight, the team and fans alike are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds in Denver.
