Justin Lawrence can be a “weapon” in Rockies’ bullpen

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Justin Lawrence is an intriguing reliever. There’s no doubt about that.

The right-hander with the side-arm delivery can throw a 100 mph fastball from a funky angle, then come back with a dipping, 85 mph slider that ties a hitter in knots.

“What a weapon,” manager Bud Black said.

But in order to help the Rockies this season, the 27-year-old Lawrence must harness his talent. If he does so, the Rockies will have improved their bullpen, something that must happen if they are going to make a run at being a winning team.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Lawrence said Wednesday. “Buddy told me at the end of last season that I had some things to work on, especially to make my delivery more repeatable. I know that’s what they wanted to see from me. I’ve worked hard to make it happen.”

Lawrence made his debut last April and then bounced between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque. He made 19 appearances across six stints in Colorado, and though he flashed talent, the results were not pretty: 8.64 ERA, 2.400 WHIP, and 19 walks over 16 2/3 innings.

“What’s intriguing is the potential, based on power from that arm slot and the ability to spin the ball,” Black said. “You don’t find that combo in a (sidearmer) very often. I think there is a strikeout in there and I think there is a groundball. Those are two good things. So we’ll see if his time is now or if he needs just a little more seasoning.”

Lawrence, who still has a minor-league option, was 6-5 with a 4.73 ERA in 31 relief outings for Triple-A Albuquerque last season, notching 13 saves over 32 1/3 innings, striking out 30 and walking 12. Lawrence struggled in 2019 and was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs for 80 games, which ended up covering the entire 2020 pandemic season.

Now, with his mechanics in a better place, Lawrence is making progress. This spring, he has a 2.25 ERA, albeit over just four innings. Best of all, he’s walked none while striking out four.

“I would say this is a stepping-stone year for me,” he said. “I have set the ceiling high for myself and I think there is potential for me to reach it.”

Marquez solid. Right-hander German Marquez, the likely opening-day starter against the Dodgers on April 8 at Coors Field, pitched a strong 3 2/3 inning in Wednesday’s Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He allowed one run on four hits, walked none and struck out six.

“Everything worked today and my tempo was great,” said Marquez, whose fastball topped out at 98 mph.

He threw 60 pitches, 44 for strikes. With one more Cactus League start, he’s on pace to be able to throw about 90 pitches in the season opener.

“I thought he threw some good fastballs, especially to the left-handed hitters and he threw some good sliders that were down,” Black said. “Overall, it was a positive outing for German.”

Blach impresses. Black is taking a hard look at relievers as spring training nears its end. One pitcher who’s impressed him is lefty Ty Blach, the Regis Jesuit graduate. Blach figures to be a long reliever and an emergency starter.

Blach gave up two hits but no runs in an inning of work Wednesday. He owns a 2.57 ERA through four spring appearances (two starts), with five strikeouts and no walks.

“Ty has shown very well and I’ve been impressed,” Black said. “I like the fact that he has a starter’s background, with four or five pitches. If he doesn’t make the rotation out of spring training, there’s a good chance he makes the bullpen.

“He’s a guy that can eat up some innings. We are going to need that because of the shortened length or our starters out of the chute.”