The Rockies are choosing right-handed contracts Karl Kauffmann, tweets Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette. Riley pint being selected as Triple-A Albuquerque to open a slot on the active list. Colorado will need to do the corresponding 40 list transaction, although that can be done by transferring Germany Marquez from the injured list 15 days to 60 days.
It was an expected move. MLB.com’s Thomas Harding noted last night that Kauffmann was scratched at the start of his scheduled Triple-A and in consideration for a major tournament promotion. Now that it’s officially a reality, he’ll be lining up for Friday night’s major league debut against Rangers.
Kauffmann, 25, entered the ball professionally as an additional second-round drafter in 2019. The Michigan product appears in Colorado’s minor league top 30 minor talent rankings each season from 2020-22 of American Baseball. He performed pretty well in his 15+ starts with Double-A Hartford last season, scoring an ERA of 4.06 while beating opponents by just under 26%. Promotion to Triple-A didn’t go as expected, as Kauffmann surrendered more than six runs earned every nine in the nightmarish Pacific Coast League environment for pitchers.
Rox left Kauffmann unprotected in last season’s Rule 5 draft. He was not selected and remains in the organization. Colorado sent him back to Albuquerque. He started eight times there but tagged for a 7.78 ERA with a modest 14.9% sortie rate. However, the Michigan product cut his walking percentage down to a personal low of 6.9%, and he’s typically an experienced upper-level junior pitcher for an organization that lacks rotational depth.
Márquez’s Tommy John surgery and recent elbow sprain for Antonio Senzatela left Rox in search of innings. Colorado brings in veteran right wing Chase Anderson exempt from Rays while pushing Connor Seabold from the barn to the starting five. Kauffmann will have at least one look behind that duo and the top two starters Kyle Freeland And Austin Gomber.
