Can you really depend on a Colorado Pitcher?

[BronxBomber2007]

Jeff Francis....the guy has been great and is a FA in my league. But Rockie pitchers are taboo because of the thin air in Colorado and have never been more than average. What is everyones take on Francis and can he be 3rd or 4th pitcher?

[BillyHallDisciple]

After looking at his last seven starts, there is no doubt in my mind about Francis. Start him, start him, start him. Screw the Coors Field factor, the guy can flat-out pitch. Keep in mind he was minor league player of the year a few years ago, so it's not as if this is flukey.

[wildbill]

Well according to the current stats as listed on ESPN the rockies as a team are 9th in the NL in ERA so there are 7 teams with worse pitching just in the NL. However, Coors is 3rd overall (both leagues) in highest parkfactor (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor), but that also includes visting teams pitching. I don't think pitching in Colorado is nearly as bad as it used to be, but it's never going to be a pitchers park. Would you pick up a Rockies pitcher if they played in Cincy? If so then I'd pick them up.

[Athrun340]

I was thinking the same thing but still picked him up 2 hours ago .. haha i thought i was the only the one starting a rockies' pitcher

[akula]

Francis is probably the 'slowest' 'ace' in baseball..he is being compared to Maddux.

[Bogey9906]

Well, I have THREE Colorado pitchers and they've done just fine for me. I picked up Francis over three weeks ago and am enjoying his current run. I added him last year too, and he was good until September. Fuentes has been rock solid as a closer (until tonight!) and Manny Corpas has been a great source of Holds. Don't let Coors scare you away, it definitely ain't what it used to be.