Ryan Feltner ready to improve Rockies' pitching performance

Ryan Feltner is looking to build on his strong finish to the 2024 MLB season with the Colorado Rockies. The team struggled last year, posting the worst earned run average (ERA) in baseball at 5.47. Feltner himself had a tough start, but he improved significantly in the second half of the season. Last season, Feltner suffered a skull fracture from a line drive that sidelined him for most of the year. He returned late in the season and reflected that the injury unexpectedly helped his development. Despite a challenging first half with a 5.36 ERA, Feltner came back strong, ending the season with a 3.00 ERA over his last 11 starts. This included an impressive September, where he had a 1.78 ERA. Rockies pitching coach Darryl Scott noted that Feltner gained confidence and showed potential as a solid major league pitcher. The Rockies have not been expected to improve much due to recent 100-loss seasons, but Feltner's strong performance could be a key factor in the team's future success. Feltner is aware of his responsibilities and is ready to take on a leadership role on the team. He expressed optimism about the young talent in the pitching staff, including returning players and top prospects. His confidence is supported by a stronger pitch mix, which has improved with guidance from catcher Jacob Stallings. Feltner has refined his fastballs and changed his approach with breaking pitches during his last season. He believes he has the skills to continue this upward trend. Now, he feels he is in a "really good spot" heading into the new season, eager to help turn the Rockies' fortunes around.