Get ready for some exciting baseball news! The Rockies have just signed a minor league contract with right-hander Valente Bellozo, and it's a move that could shake up the team's pitching dynamics.
Francys Romero broke the news, reporting that Bellozo, a client of Wasserman, will likely be invited to camp as a non-roster player. This is an intriguing development, especially considering Bellozo's recent history.
Bellozo has spent the last two seasons with the Marlins, and his journey began with a trade from the Astros in 2024. He quickly earned a spot in the big leagues, making 13 starts as a rookie. Despite a solid 3.67 earned run average, his strikeout rate was a bit low, and he struggled with home runs. However, he showed promise, especially early in the 2025 season, where he made five starts before transitioning to the bullpen.
The 26-year-old Bellozo had a decent first half of the season, but his peripherals caught up with him in the second half. His ERA ballooned to 6.46, and he gave up 10 home runs in just over 30 innings. Overall, he finished the year with a 4.65 earned run average, striking out 15.5% of batters while walking 6.6%.
Bellozo's strength lies in his control, but his four-seamer sits around 90 MPH. He relies on a mid-80s cutter and mixes in a sweeper and changeup. He's a fly-ball pitcher with below-average stuff, which could be a challenge at Coors Field. But here's where it gets interesting: this unique approach could work in his favor, and he has the potential to pitch his way back to the majors. With a strong performance in camp, he might even secure a spot in the Opening Day rotation.
But who else is in the mix for those rotation spots? Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, and Chase Dollander seem to have locked down their spots. Ryan Feltner, Gabriel Hughes, Tanner Gordon, McCade Brown, and Pierson Ohl, who was recently acquired via trade, are all on the 40-man roster and are competing for the remaining two spots. Bellozo could join this group or find himself in long relief alongside Antonio Senzatela if he impresses enough.
This is a fascinating development, and it will be exciting to see how Bellozo performs in camp. Will he make the cut and earn a spot in the Rockies' rotation? Only time will tell. What are your thoughts on this signing? Do you think Bellozo has what it takes to make it back to the majors? Feel free to share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
