The Colorado Rockies have gotten off to a strong start in the early going of the 2022 MLB season, as they have posted a 7-3 record through their first 10 contests. The club kept the good news coming, as they agreed to terms on a contract extension with one of their longest-tenured players, left-handed starting pitcher Kyle Freeland, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Left-hander Kyle Freeland and the Colorado Rockies are in agreement on a five-year, $64.5 million contract that includes a sixth-year player option, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN. Freeland, a homegrown player and Denver native, is staying home through at least 2026.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2022
Per Passan, the Rockies have agreed to a five-year, $64.5 million contract with starting pitcher Kyle Freeland. The deal includes a sixth-year player option for Freeland, who is a Denver native.
A former first-round pick in the 2014 MLB draft, Freeland rose up through the Rockies' farm system, where he was once ranked as their no. 5 prospect.
The southpaw justified such rankings with his excellent 2018 campaign, which saw him post a 17-7 record with a 2.85 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 202 1/3 innings pitched.
Freeland has been unable to find that form since, as he hasn't posted an ERA below 4.33 since that season. The 28-year-old is also off to a rough start in 2022, having allowed 10 earned runs through his first 9.0 innings of work.
While it's a bit difficult to justify giving Freeland a $64.5 million contract, he is well-suited to the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field. Per Fangraphs, the lefty starter has posted groundball rates above 45 percent in each season.
The Rockies are clearly banking on Freeland's ability to consistently keep the ball on the ground- and a return to his 2018 form.
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