In the heart of downtown Denver, excitement is brewing for 23-year-old pitcher Chase Dollander, who is set to make his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The right-hander was initially taken aback when informed of his call-up, but the moment truly hit home upon seeing his No. 32 jersey adorned with his name. Dollander, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft from the University of Tennessee, will take the mound this Sunday against the Athletics.
“I’m thrilled and ready to go,” Dollander declared enthusiastically. “Facing these guys is going to be a blast.” The news of his promotion came while he was with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Rockies’ Triple-A team, under the guise of a typical meeting with his manager. Instead, he received the life-changing news that he’d soon be pitching in Denver.
Upon hearing the announcement, Dollander was overcome with emotion, sharing the news first with his mother and stepdad, who were brought to tears. His girlfriend, also emotionally overwhelmed, will join them in the stands for his debut. “I always hoped it would come sooner rather than later, but I didn’t anticipate this speed,” Dollander reflected on his unexpected journey to the majors. “But I’m prepared—I’ve felt ready since spring training.”
Throughout six Cactus League starts at his initial major league spring training, Dollander tallied a 2-3 record with a 7.13 ERA, achieving 24 strikeouts against 10 walks. His lone outing with Albuquerque this season on March 30 showcased his potential, allowing just one run while striking out five over four innings.
Last year, Dollander demonstrated his impressive skills with a fastball clocking in at 96-98 mph, recording a 6-2 record with a 2.59 ERA over 23 starts spanning High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. A total of 169 strikeouts paired with 47 walks spoke volumes of his capabilities.
Encouraged by Dollander’s rapid rise, Rockies’ coach Bud Black expressed confidence in the young pitcher. “We believe his brief time in the minors was enough seasoning. There’s no doubt about his ability outside the lines, and now it’s just about his performance on the field,” Black shared.
In the big leagues, Dollander will reunite with fellow Tennessee alumni, outfielder Jordan Beck and right-hander Seth Halvorsen. Additionally, he received a special message from Todd Helton, a Rockies former first baseman, and a Hall of Fame inductee of 2024, who extended his Colorado stay just to watch Dollander’s debut.
Helton’s encouragement meant a lot to Dollander. “Todd’s text and staying to see me pitch was thrilling. I’m looking forward to thanking him in person,” said Dollander.
Facing a pitcher they’ve never encountered, Athletics’ manager Mark Kotsay noted, “This is an exciting time for the Rockies and for this kid. We’ll prepare with whatever film we can find. He’s got a powerful arm, and it’ll be thrilling to see him throw his first pitch.”
Despite the notorious conditions at Coors Field, where the ball is known to fly, Dollander remains undaunted. “It’s common knowledge about Coors Field, but I’m up for the challenge,” Dollander stated confidently. “Playing here is a dream realized, but this is just the beginning. I’m setting new goals and eager to achieve them.”