So far in 2017, Rockies rookie right-hander Jeff Hoffman has seized every big-league opportunity that’s come his way. But he’s not about to start lobbying for more or worrying about what the future might hold.
Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 caught up with Hoffman in the Rockies clubhouse ahead of Tuesday’s game with Cleveland, and asked about his future with the big league club.
“No, I haven’t been told anything,” Hoffman said when asked if he expects this latest call up to last any longer than his first. “That’s not really something that we’ll talk about. I think the staff wants me to just focus on my next outing and not worry about anything else past that.”
Hoffman rejoined the Rockies over the weekend after left-handed starter Tyler Anderson was placed on the 10-day disabled list with left knee inflammation. Hoffman made his third start of 2017 and pitched seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball to defeat the San Diego Padres. It was his second consecutive outing going seven innings and allowing three hits and one run. He’s now 3-0 on the season with a 2.61 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance.
Hoffman, who came to the Rockies organization as part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade, is Colorado’s top pitching prospect. He made six starts in a fall call-up last year, going 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA. So far in 2017, he’s looked like the dominant pitcher Colorado expected when they made the trade.
He’s also showing a maturity that most 24-year-olds don’t have, especially when it comes to whether or not he’ll stick with the big league club this time around.
“You really can’t control anything when you’re looking at the future and what the future holds,” Hoffman told Goodman and Shapiro. “I know that there are guys that try to play GM and it doesn’t work out. Nobody knows what the GM thinks, besides the GM. So, I’m just going to go out if they call my number again. Go out and do what I’ve been doing and try to get the job done for the team.”
Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich was at Coors Field on Tuesday. Goodman and Shapiro were curious to know what conversation, if any, occurred between Hoffman and Bridich about the future.
“I said ‘hi’ to him. He said ‘hi’ to me,” Hoffman said. “That’s all that needs to be said. I feel like right now my outings are kind of doing the talking and I don’t feel like I need to say anything. Every time they call my number, I go out there and do what I’ve been doing.”
Hoffman’s next chance to do what he’s been doing will come on Saturday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Listen to the full interview with Hoffman, including his analysis of his last outing, in the podcast below.
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Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro every weekday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
