The Colorado Rockies signed veteran starting pitcher Roy Oswalt yesterday to a minor league contract. The 35-year-old hurler will be sent to extended spring training to get back into form before making appearances in the minors. If Oswalt pitches well in the minors, a promotion to the Rockies’ rotation would be likely.
In nine starts with the Texas Rangers last season, the righty was 4-3 with a 5.80 earned run average and averaged a strikeout per inning pitched. Oswalt has a career ERA of 3.28 and is 163-96 in 12 Major League seasons. He was very good in his prime from 2001-08.
From a fantasy baseball standpoint, Oswalt’s better days are definitely behind him and potentially pitching at hitter-friendly Coors Field isn’t an ideal situation. He will need to pitch well in the minors to prove he’s ready for a rotation spot in Colorado, to have any fantasy value. If he can recapture some of his old self it could make him a decent fantasy option in about a month from now, and that is a big if.
Time will tell if Oswalt is ready to make an impact for the Rockies and possibly your fantasy team, but keep an eye out on how he does in the minors as any indication if there is anything left in the tank. Owners in deep and NL-only leagues may want to stash him away if there is room on the roster.
