Rockies Sign Parker Mushinski to Minor League Contract
The Colorado Rockies have signed left-handed reliever Parker Mushinski to a minor league contract. This move reflects the team’s ongoing efforts to bolster its bullpen. Mushinski’s transaction came to light through MLB.com.
Parker Mushinski’s Background
Parker Mushinski, who is 30 years old, has previously spent time in the Major Leagues with the Houston Astros. Over three seasons, he pitched a total of 33 innings, achieving a 5.45 ERA. His performance included a strikeout rate of 17.4% and a walk rate of 8.1%.
Performance Stats
- Major League Innings Pitched: 33
- ERA: 5.45
- Strikeout Rate: 17.4%
- Walk Rate: 8.1%
- Ground-Ball Rate: 45.2%
- Average Exit Velocity Against: 88.4 mph
- Hard-Hit Rate: 35.2%
Though Mushinski has avoided hard contact well, he faced challenges against right-handed batters, giving up five home runs over 83 such matchups.
Career Journey
Originally drafted by the Astros in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft from Texas Tech, Mushinski remained with Houston until the end of the 2024 season. Following his stint with the Astros, he became a minor league free agent and signed with the Guardians.
Triple-A Performance
During the 2024 season, he played for Triple-A Columbus, where he posted a 3.78 ERA over 50 innings. Notably, he struck out nearly 30% of the hitters he faced, although he also had a walk rate close to 15%.
Opportunities and Challenges with the Rockies
Signing with the Rockies offers Mushinski a significant opportunity. The team currently lacks established left-handed pitchers, which could pave the way for him to secure a spot in the bullpen. However, this opportunity comes with challenges, as pitching at Coors Field is notoriously difficult due to its altitude and hitter-friendly conditions.
This signing marks Mushinski as the second left-handed reliever added by the Rockies in recent days. Just last week, they acquired Brennan Bernardino from the Boston Red Sox, who is already on the 40-man roster. Overall, the Rockies are actively seeking to improve their bullpen depth as they prepare for the upcoming season.
