DENVER -- Jeff Hoffman remembers the conversation vividly. During Spring Training in 2016, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told Hoffman and the other pitching prospects -- Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray and Antonio Senzatela -- that the Rockies weren't seeking veteran starters.
"Bridich told us, 'We're doing this from within,' talking about the starting staff," Hoffman said. "He's really stayed true to his word on that side."
Two years later, and following a postseason appearance that was driven heavily by its youthful rotation, Colorado's hope is that with a creative front office, objective-minded coaches and a hungry pitching staff, 2017 was merely the first step for a blossoming pitching culture with the potential for sustained success.