The Rockies announced they’ve recalled reliever Blair Calvo from Triple-A Albuquerque. He’ll be in Bud Black’s bullpen tonight against the Diamondbacks following his first major league call. Karl Kauffmann was optioned out in a corresponding move.
Calvo, 27, has played four-plus seasons professionally. Signed for just $3,000 as a 23rd round draftee out of Florida’s Flagler Junior College in 2019, he’s worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen in the minors. He’s never appeared on an organizational prospects ranking at Baseball America, though Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs praised his plus slider and called him a potential middle reliever this spring.
In 153 2/3 career minor league frames, Calvo has a 4.86 ERA. He’s had the misfortune of working in some hitter-friendly environments on his way up the ladder. That includes this year’s run in Albuquerque, where the righty has allowed 18 runs in as many innings. A huge .426 batting average on balls in play hasn’t done him any favors. Calvo’s 29.2% strikeout rate and 49% ground-ball percentage are both solid, though he’s also walked batters at a 10.1% clip.
The Rockies added Calvo to their 40-man roster last offseason. He’d have otherwise been eligible for the Rule 5 draft. As a result, Colorado doesn’t need to make any 40-man transactions to accommodate his promotion. He’s in his first of three minor league option years and can bounce between Coors Field and the upper minors for the foreseeable future without landing on waivers.
Rockies are just making up these pitchers at this point. Create a player in full effect.
I have followed the Rockies just about as much as anyone on Earth and I had never heard of Calvo when they put him on the 40 man this off season.
The Rockies did have a pitcher named Jerry Vasto a couple years back that a lot of people were convinced was a figment of the GM’s imagination. Disappointingly, he turned out to be real.
Jerry Vasto! Man there’s a name.
Grant and I accused the padres of making relievers out of ocean bed clay in the fashion of the Uruk-Hai
“This one is called ‘Nick Vincent'”
Manager of the padres during their prime reliever-birthing period?
Buddy Black.
I bet they send him back down tomorrow when they activate Lamet, unless there is an injury to someone else. Just wanted another arm in a stretch with no days off and nobody giving them quality starts.
That is solid logic. I agree that is what they will do. Unlike most year for the Rox, no one else in the pen really deserves to be sent out right now.
Sure enough, back down today for Lamet. But he has 1 inning more in MLB now than most of us. Good for him.
It was just an option as well, He will likely be called back up several times this year. He made a good enough impression to earn another shot down the line.
Yes, more likely to be called back up than Riley Pint based on first impressions.
Sounds like he’ll fit right in.
Looks to have a nice head of hair despite the surname.
LOL. I had to look it up to see what you meant.
Just waiting for the big logan Allen call up, can’t wait to see him give up dingers in the dry heat of AZ and the thin air in the Rockies.
He is probably the next guy in line if Lamet falters or another injury happens.