Right-hander Jake Woodford has opted out of his minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, according to a report by MLBTR’s Steve Adams. Colorado is expected to grant his release, allowing Woodford to explore other opportunities.
The 28-year-old pitcher had signed with the Rockies in hopes of making their rotation but failed to secure a spot coming out of spring training. With his departure, Woodford will now look for a new team willing to give him another shot at the major league level.
Early Success with Cardinals Followed by Struggles and Departure in 2023
Woodford was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2020, but his initial performance left room for improvement, as he posted a 5.57 ERA in limited action.
However, from 2021 to 2022, he put together a solid stretch, recording a 3.26 ERA across 116 innings. Despite a low strikeout rate of just 15.4%, he managed to be effective due to his 45.8% groundball rate and decent control. This period marked the high point of his career, as he became a reliable swingman for the Cardinals.
Jake Woodford (MLB)In 2023, Woodford’s performance took a downturn. His ERA ballooned to 6.23, and his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was even worse at 6.61. His strikeout rate dipped further to 13.1%, while his walk rate increased to 9.1%, signaling control issues.
Even his impressive 51.2% groundball rate could not compensate for his struggles, leading the Cardinals to non-tender him that offseason. After leaving St. Louis, he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox, hoping to turn things around.
Struggles Continue in 2024 as Woodford Searches for a Fresh Opportunity
Woodford’s 2024 campaign did not fare much better. After making two spot starts for the White Sox and surrendering 10 runs over 8 1/3 innings, he was designated for assignment and later opted for free agency.
He then joined the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he saw more playing time but still struggled, posting a 7.09 ERA in seven appearances. Despite improvements in his strikeout and walk rates, his groundball rate dropped significantly, making it difficult for him to find consistent success.
After being outrighted off the Pirates’ roster and entering free agency again, Woodford signed with the Rockies on a minor league deal. Though Colorado hoped to use him as a starter, his 5.25 ERA in spring training prevented him from making the rotation.
With his opt-out, Woodford now seeks a new opportunity, potentially with a team in need of pitching depth. Given his solid career groundball rate and ability to pitch in multiple roles, there is still a chance that a club in need of rotation depth might take a flyer on him.
