Hoffman Struggles in MLB Debut

2011 Shaker High School Graduate Jeff Hoffman made his Major League Debut Saturday evening, going four innings in the beginning of what looks to be a prosperous career for the Latham native. Hoffman, the number three prospect in the Rockies system, heard he would get the call to The Show on Thursday, as Rodger Wyland of WNYT first reported that Hoffman would head to Colorado for his MLB Debut to face off with the Chicago Cubs.

The ninth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft was officially selected to the Major League roster before the game, as the Rockies released reliever Jason Gurka to open up a roster spot for Hoffman. After allowing a leadoff single to Dexter Fowler, Hoffman would bounce back to retire Kris Bryant on a flyout and get All-Star Anthony Rizzo to ground into a double play.

After setting down the next six batters in the Cubs order including his first two Major League strikeouts, the first one being Jorge Soler, the Cubs would find their groove against the rookie, putting up four runs on five hits in the top of the fourth and a three run homer from Bryant in the top of the fifth would conclude the night for the 518 local.

Hoffman would finish with a final line of four plus innings of work, throwing 77 pitches while allowing seven runs (six earned) off seven hits and a walk to go with his two strikeouts, taking the loss in the 9-2 defeat.

It will be interesting to see what the Rockies do with Hoffman now, where they could keep him up in the big leagues to hone his talents and get some valuable experience, or send him back to Triple-A Albuquerque to work on his talents there, where he sports a 6-9 record to go with a 4.02 ERA in 22 starts for the Isotopes.