Ryan Rolison Stats & Scouting Report

IP	7
ERA	0
WHIP	.86
BB/9	3.86
SO/9	9

Full name Ryan Perry Rolison
Born 07/11/1997 in Jackson, TN
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 213 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Mississippi
Drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2018 (signed for $2,912,300).

View Draft Report

A talented high school lefthander out of Tennessee, Rolison ranked in the top half of the BA 500 in 2016, but was drafted in the 37th round by the Padres and chose to attend Mississippi. As a freshman, Rolison pitched in 19 games, posted a 3.06 ERA and was named to the SEC's all-freshman team by the conference's coaches. Rolison allowed just 23 runs in 61.2 innings in 2016, which was the third-best mark in the SEC and helped him earn a spot in the starting rotation toward the end of the season. Rolison carried that success to the Cape Cod League that summer, where he used a fastball in the 91-94 mph range and a wipeout curveball to pitch to a 1.93 ERA and strike out 35 batters in 28 innings. Rolison has impressed during his draft-eligible sophomore season with Ole Miss as well, increasing his strikeout rate and using a three-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball with plus life in the low 90s. Rolison is not afraid to throw his fastball, which has been up to 96 mph, inside to righthanded batters, while his breaking ball regularly gets swings and misses and is at least an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering down the line. Rolison's changeup should become a solid third pitch as well. What has worried scouts this spring is the direction the 6-foot-2 southpaw takes to the plate. Many evaluators have commented that Rolison has been coming across his body too much in his delivery, which has impacted his strike-throwing ability and caused his walk rate to tick up. That should be a relatively easy fix in player development and most scouts believe in his control, which has been solid in the Cape and at Ole Miss in the past. While his stuff isn't as loud as some of the other pitchers in the class, Rolison still has the talent to become a No. 3 starter down the road. As one of the few lefthanded arms at the top of the class, Rolison figures to come off the board in the first round and become the first Ole Miss player to do so since Drew Pomeranz, who was taken fifth overall in the 2010 draft.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: Rolison’s strong sophomore season at Ole Miss propelled him into the first round, where the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall and signed him for $2,912,300. Rolison pitched extremely well in two difficult environments at Rookie-level Grand Junction and High-A Lancaster to start his career and was invited to the Rockies alternate training site in 2020. Expected to rise quickly in 2021, Rolison was instead derailed by poor health. He had surgery to remove his appendix in June and broke a bone in his throwing hand while fielding a grounder in August. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Dominican Winter League after the season and was added to the 40-man roster in November.

Scouting Report: Rolison is a classic pitchability lefty who relies on commanding a varied arsenal to succeed. His fastball sits in the low 90s and mostly serves to set up his breaking stuff. His 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s is a plus pitch he can manipulate the power and depth of, and his slider is a slightly tighter version of his curveball that also flashes plus. He is still mastering his changeup, which flashes average at its best. Rolison fills up the strike zone with plus control and has an advanced feel for setting hitters up and reading swings. He has worked to improve the armside command of his fastball, which he’ll need to open up the entire plate.

The Future: Rolison has the potential to be a steady, reliable starter at the back of the rotation. He may start 2022 back at Triple-A but should make his major league debut during the year.
Fastball: 50. Slider: . Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a key piece of Mississippi’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2016, and he lived up his potential in Oxford, striking out 184 batters in 159 career innings on the way to being drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, as an eligible sophomore in 2018. In 2019, Rolison did as well as could be expected in hitter-friendly Lancaster. Rolison spent time at both the Rockies’ alternate training site and then at instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison gets hitters out with his intellect, feel to pitch and ability to make quick adjustments. He primarily sets hitters up with his low-90s fastball and finishes them with a plus curveball he can manipulate the spin and shape of. The Rockies are excited about the continued development of a changeup that shows average potential. Rolison is sometimes listed as having a slider, but it’s actually a modified version of his curveball, which is also in the upper 70s. Rolison has shown plus control in the minors with 2.7 walks per nine innings, but the Rockies would like to see him improve his command to his arm side.

THE FUTURE: The lack of eye-popping stuff limits Rolison’s ceiling, but his command and pitchability give him a chance to be a rotation mainstay. He’ll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a potential top-five rounds pick out of high school in 2016, but his commitment to Mississippi was so strong he fell to the Padres in the 37th round. Two years later after a pair of excellent collegiate seasons, the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall as an eligible sophomore. Rolison opened his first full season at high Class A Lancaster and held his own in unforgiving conditions, making the California League all-star game and standing out as one of the league's best pitching prospects.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison has a good handle on his fastball, changeup and curveball and is experimenting with a slider. He varies the speed of his fastball from 89-94 mph depending on the situation and locates it to both sides of the plate. His plus power curveball is his swing-and-miss pitch in the upper 70s with varying break, and his changeup is an effective, average offering. Rolison throws everything for strikes, works quickly and pitches smart. He focuses on hitters' tendencies and adjusts to exploit their weaknesses.

THE FUTURE: Rolison is ready for Double-A in 2020, and if he adjusts quickly it won't be a surprise if he shows up in Triple-A Albuquerque by midseason. Given his maturity and ability to adjust, the Rockies won't hesitate to promote him.
Track Record: Rolison has been on the radar for some time. He was a second-team All-American out of high school, but he slipped in the 2016 draft because of a strong commitment to Mississippi. He became the third pitcher in Ole Miss history to have at least 10 wins and 100 strikeouts in a season. Keeping with Colorado's philosophy in the draft, Rolison's workload in his pro debut was limited so the organization could get to know him and not overextend him after a heavy workload in the spring. He impressed enough in his nine appearances that he was held back to pitch a game in the Pioneer League championship series, only to see Grand Junction eliminated in the semi-finals.

Scouting Report: Rolison is a Kyle Freeland type. He pitches at 92-93 mph with his fastball and commands a breaking ball that is more of a curveball than slider. His breaking pitch needs refinement. Rolison also has a changeup but was limited in using it at the college level. He commands both sides of the plate and repeats his delivery.

The Future: Rolison figures to move quickly through the development process considering his awareness and willingness to adjust to situations. He has strong fastball command. The key now is refining the curveball and becoming more comfortable with usage of his changeup, which is a critical pitch at Coors Field. He has a No. 4 starter type of profile.

Draft Prospects

A talented high school lefthander out of Tennessee, Rolison ranked in the top half of the BA 500 in 2016, but was drafted in the 37th round by the Padres and chose to attend Mississippi. As a freshman, Rolison pitched in 19 games, posted a 3.06 ERA and was named to the SEC's all-freshman team by the conference's coaches. Rolison allowed just 23 runs in 61.2 innings in 2016, which was the third-best mark in the SEC and helped him earn a spot in the starting rotation toward the end of the season. Rolison carried that success to the Cape Cod League that summer, where he used a fastball in the 91-94 mph range and a wipeout curveball to pitch to a 1.93 ERA and strike out 35 batters in 28 innings. Rolison has impressed during his draft-eligible sophomore season with Ole Miss as well, increasing his strikeout rate and using a three-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball with plus life in the low 90s. Rolison is not afraid to throw his fastball, which has been up to 96 mph, inside to righthanded batters, while his breaking ball regularly gets swings and misses and is at least an above-average pitch with the potential to be a plus offering down the line. Rolison's changeup should become a solid third pitch as well. What has worried scouts this spring is the direction the 6-foot-2 southpaw takes to the plate. Many evaluators have commented that Rolison has been coming across his body too much in his delivery, which has impacted his strike-throwing ability and caused his walk rate to tick up. That should be a relatively easy fix in player development and most scouts believe in his control, which has been solid in the Cape and at Ole Miss in the past. While his stuff isn't as loud as some of the other pitchers in the class, Rolison still has the talent to become a No. 3 starter down the road. As one of the few lefthanded arms at the top of the class, Rolison figures to come off the board in the first round and become the first Ole Miss player to do so since Drew Pomeranz, who was taken fifth overall in the 2010 draft.
Lefthanded prep pitching is one of the strength's of this year's class, and Rolison's solid spring has put him in the same discussion as many of the elite arms. He doesn't have explosive stuff, but he has solid command of his entire arsenal. He pitches at 88-91 and has reached as high as 93 this spring. He has a chance to develop two average offspeed pitches in his changeup and breaking ball. Rolison has a high floor because of his lefthandedness and ready-to-go stuff, and some scouts see him as a safe bet to develop into a back-of-the-rotation starter. He is older for the class, turning 19 in July. He is committed to Mississippi.

Minor League Top Prospects

Rolison survived unforgiving Lancaster and thrived away from it, logging a 3.35 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 11 walks in 51 innings on the road in a reflection of his true ability. The polished lefty threw his 90-93 mph fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate and put away batters with his secondaries. Rolison manipulated his plus breaking ball to give it curveball shape early in counts before tightening it to finish batters with slider action. He flashed an average changeup and threw everything for strikes. "He’s got good stuff and he keeps it up-tempo,” Rancho Cucamonga manager Mark Kertenian said. "He’s athletic, nice quick arm, has good feel for his pitches. It’s a battle every time we see him.” Rolison throttled down too much at times but found his best stuff in big situations. He further showed an impressive fortitude working out of jams and other difficult spots.
Rolison followed a stellar two-year career as a regular weekend starter at Ole Miss with a strong pro debut at Grand Junction. The Rockies limited Rolison to three or four innings per start because he’d already thrown 97 innings at Ole Miss. He never topped 60 pitches in an outing for Grand Junction. The durable lefty uses a simple delivery with at least above-average control of all three of his pitches. Rolison’s fastball sits at 91-94 mph with arm-side sink and run, and he commands it to both sides of the plate and is effective working inside to righthanded hitters. The gem of Rolison’s arsenal is a plus slider, a swing-and-miss pitch with good depth. He has a changeup, but he needs to work on finishing the pitch more often. “He’s definitely a special arm,” Grand Junction manager Jake Opitz said. “The more experience he gets and the more time he has to develop, he’s going to be special.”

Best Tools List

Rated Best Changeup in the Colorado Rockies in 2020

Scouting Reports

BA Grade: 40/Medium

Track Record: Rolison&#39s strong sophomore season at Ole Miss propelled him into the first round, where the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall and signed him for $2,912,300. Rolison pitched extremely well in two difficult environments at Rookie-level Grand Junction and High-A Lancaster to start his career and was invited to the Rockies alternate training site in 2020. Expected to rise quickly in 2021, Rolison was instead derailed by poor health. He had surgery to remove his appendix in June and broke a bone in his throwing hand while fielding a grounder in August. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Dominican Winter League after the season and was added to the 40-man roster in November.

Scouting Report: Rolison is a classic pitchability lefty who relies on commanding a varied arsenal to succeed. His fastball sits in the low 90s and mostly serves to set up his breaking stuff. His 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s is a plus pitch he can manipulate the power and depth of, and his slider is a slightly tighter version of his curveball that also flashes plus. He is still mastering his changeup, which flashes average at its best. Rolison fills up the strike zone with plus control and has an advanced feel for setting hitters up and reading swings. He has worked to improve the armside command of his fastball, which he&#39ll need to open up the entire plate.

The Future: Rolison has the potential to be a steady, reliable starter at the back of the rotation. He may start 2022 back at Triple-A but should make his major league debut during the year.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Curveball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 60.
Track Record: Rolison’s strong sophomore season at Ole Miss propelled him into the first round, where the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall and signed him for $2,912,300. Rolison pitched extremely well in two difficult environments at Rookie-level Grand Junction and High-A Lancaster to start his career and was invited to the Rockies alternate training site in 2020. Expected to rise quickly in 2021, Rolison was instead derailed by poor health. He had surgery to remove his appendix in June and broke a bone in his throwing hand while fielding a grounder in August. He made up for lost time by pitching in the Dominican Winter League after the season and was added to the 40-man roster in November.

Scouting Report: Rolison is a classic pitchability lefty who relies on commanding a varied arsenal to succeed. His fastball sits in the low 90s and mostly serves to set up his breaking stuff. His 12-to-6 curveball in the upper 70s is a plus pitch he can manipulate the power and depth of, and his slider is a slightly tighter version of his curveball that also flashes plus. He is still mastering his changeup, which flashes average at its best. Rolison fills up the strike zone with plus control and has an advanced feel for setting hitters up and reading swings. He has worked to improve the armside command of his fastball, which he’ll need to open up the entire plate.

The Future: Rolison has the potential to be a steady, reliable starter at the back of the rotation. He may start 2022 back at Triple-A but should make his major league debut during the year.
Fastball: 50. Slider: . Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a key piece of Mississippi's No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2016, and he lived up his potential in Oxford, striking out 184 batters in 159 career innings on the way to being drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, as an eligible sophomore in 2018. In 2019, Rolison did as well as could be expected in hitter-friendly Lancaster. Rolison spent time at both the Rockies' alternate training site and then at instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison gets hitters out with his intellect, feel to pitch and ability to make quick adjustments. He primarily sets hitters up with his low-90s fastball and finishes them with a plus curveball he can manipulate the spin and shape of. The Rockies are excited about the continued development of a changeup that shows average potential. Rolison is sometimes listed as having a slider, but it's actually a modified version of his curveball, which is also in the upper 70s. Rolison has shown plus control in the minors with 2.7 walks per nine innings, but the Rockies would like to see him improve his command to his arm side.

THE FUTURE: The lack of eye-popping stuff limits Rolison's ceiling, but his command and pitchability give him a chance to be a rotation mainstay. He'll see Double-A in 2021.
Fastball: 50. Slider: . Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a key piece of Mississippi’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2016, and he lived up his potential in Oxford, striking out 184 batters in 159 career innings on the way to being drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, as an eligible sophomore in 2018. In 2019, Rolison did as well as could be expected in hitter-friendly Lancaster. Rolison spent time at both the Rockies’ alternate training site and then at instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison gets hitters out with his intellect, feel to pitch and ability to make quick adjustments. He primarily sets hitters up with his low-90s fastball and finishes them with a plus curveball he can manipulate the spin and shape of. The Rockies are excited about the continued development of a changeup that shows average potential. Rolison is sometimes listed as having a slider, but it’s actually a modified version of his curveball, which is also in the upper 70s. Rolison has shown plus control in the minors with 2.7 walks per nine innings, but the Rockies would like to see him improve his command to his arm side.

THE FUTURE: The lack of eye-popping stuff limits Rolison’s ceiling, but his command and pitchability give him a chance to be a rotation mainstay. He’ll see Double-A in 2021.
Fastball: 50. Slider: . Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a key piece of Mississippi’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2016, and he lived up his potential in Oxford, striking out 184 batters in 159 career innings on the way to being drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, as an eligible sophomore in 2018. In 2019, Rolison did as well as could be expected in hitter-friendly Lancaster. Rolison spent time at both the Rockies’ alternate training site and then at instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison gets hitters out with his intellect, feel to pitch and ability to make quick adjustments. He primarily sets hitters up with his low-90s fastball and finishes them with a plus curveball he can manipulate the spin and shape of. The Rockies are excited about the continued development of a changeup that shows average potential. Rolison is sometimes listed as having a slider, but it’s actually a modified version of his curveball, which is also in the upper 70s. Rolison has shown plus control in the minors with 2.7 walks per nine innings, but the Rockies would like to see him improve his command to his arm side.

THE FUTURE: The lack of eye-popping stuff limits Rolison’s ceiling, but his command and pitchability give him a chance to be a rotation mainstay. He’ll see Double-A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a potential top-five rounds pick out of high school in 2016, but his commitment to Mississippi was so strong he fell to the Padres in the 37th round. Two years later after a pair of excellent collegiate seasons, the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall as an eligible sophomore. Rolison opened his first full season at high Class A Lancaster and held his own in unforgiving conditions, making the California League all-star game and standing out as one of the league’s best pitching prospects.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison has a good handle on his fastball, changeup and curveball and is experimenting with a slider. He varies the speed of his fastball from 89-94 mph depending on the situation and locates it to both sides of the plate. His plus power curveball is his swing-and-miss pitch in the upper 70s with varying break, and his changeup is an effective, average offering. Rolison throws everything for strikes, works quickly and pitches smart. He focuses on hitters’ tendencies and adjusts to exploit their weaknesses.

THE FUTURE: Rolison is ready for Double-A in 2020, and if he adjusts quickly it won’t be a surprise if he shows up in Triple-A Albuquerque by midseason. Given his maturity and ability to adjust, the Rockies won’t hesitate to promote him.
TRACK RECORD: Rolison was a potential top-five rounds pick out of high school in 2016, but his commitment to Mississippi was so strong he fell to the Padres in the 37th round. Two years later after a pair of excellent collegiate seasons, the Rockies drafted him 22nd overall as an eligible sophomore. Rolison opened his first full season at high Class A Lancaster and held his own in unforgiving conditions, making the California League all-star game and standing out as one of the league's best pitching prospects.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rolison has a good handle on his fastball, changeup and curveball and is experimenting with a slider. He varies the speed of his fastball from 89-94 mph depending on the situation and locates it to both sides of the plate. His plus power curveball is his swing-and-miss pitch in the upper 70s with varying break, and his changeup is an effective, average offering. Rolison throws everything for strikes, works quickly and pitches smart. He focuses on hitters' tendencies and adjusts to exploit their weaknesses.

THE FUTURE: Rolison is ready for Double-A in 2020, and if he adjusts quickly it won't be a surprise if he shows up in Triple-A Albuquerque by midseason. Given his maturity and ability to adjust, the Rockies won't hesitate to promote him.
Rolison survived unforgiving Lancaster and thrived away from it, logging a 3.35 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 11 walks in 51 innings on the road in a reflection of his true ability. The polished lefty threw his 90-93 mph fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate and put away batters with his secondaries. Rolison manipulated his plus breaking ball to give it curveball shape early in counts before tightening it to finish batters with slider action. He flashed an average changeup and threw everything for strikes. "He’s got good stuff and he keeps it up-tempo,” Rancho Cucamonga manager Mark Kertenian said. "He’s athletic, nice quick arm, has good feel for his pitches. It’s a battle every time we see him.” Rolison throttled down too much at times but found his best stuff in big situations. He further showed an impressive fortitude working out of jams and other difficult spots.
Rolison finished second in the Southeastern Conference with 120 strikeouts this spring as Ole Miss’ top starter. The Rockies drafted him No. 22 overall and signed him for $2,912,300. An aggressive lefthander, Rolison boasts a lively low 90s fastball, a wipeout curveball and a promising changeup. He throws across his body at times and his control suffers because of it, but evaluators believe that can be fixed and see mid-rotation upside.

Career Transactions

Albuquerque Isotopes activated LHP Ryan Rolison from the 60-day injured list.
Albuquerque Isotopes activated LHP Ryan Rolison from the 60-day injured list.
Albuquerque Isotopes sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Spokane Indians.
Albuquerque Isotopes sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Spokane Indians.
Albuquerque Isotopes sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to ACL Rockies.
Colorado Rockies recalled LHP Ryan Rolison from Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies placed LHP Ryan Rolison on the 60-day injured list.
Colorado Rockies recalled LHP Ryan Rolison from Albuquerque Isotopes.
Albuquerque Isotopes placed LHP Ryan Rolison on the 7-day injured list.
Colorado Rockies optioned LHP Ryan Rolison to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies optioned LHP Ryan Rolison to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Albuquerque Isotopes.
Colorado Rockies sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Fresno Grizzlies.
Colorado Rockies sent LHP Ryan Rolison on a rehab assignment to Fresno Grizzlies.
Colorado Rockies placed LHP Ryan Rolison on the 60-day injured list. Left shoulder surgery.