Counting Down Rockies Top 30: No. 21 Jesus Tinoco

21. Jesus Tinoco, RHP

Born: 4/30/1995. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 190. Signed: Venezuela, 2011. Signed by: Marco Paddy/Rafael Moncada (Toronto).

Acquired along with fellow right-handed pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Miguel Castro from Toronto as part of the package for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki before the July 31 2015 trading deadline, Tinoco was considered the extra body. His always had a live arm, but the results weren’t there. In the final half of the 2017 season, however, Tinoco pitched himself into prospect status with a dominating effort at High-A Lancaster. He had gone 12-36 in his first five years in pro ball. Last spring, however, the Rockies reworked Tinoco’s delivery, and the confidence he had been lacking seemed to be adjusted, too. He is a starter for now, although there is a school of thought that likes the idea of him coming out of the bullpen in late innings. Tinoco features a live fastball that ranges from 93 to 95 miles per hour, and is complimented by a curveball and changeup. The results? He was 11-4 with a 4.67 ERA despite pitching home games in one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in the minor leagues. .