Tanner Gordon and the limits of throwing strikes

Purple Row ranked pitcher Tanner Gordon at No. 40 in its 2026 Colorado Rockies player review series, citing his -0.2 rWAR. Gordon made 24 appearances, splitting time between 12 starts and 12 relief outings, finishing with a 1-6 record, a 6.68 ERA, and a 1.66 WHIP across 103.2 innings. Despite adjusting his pitch repertoire and improving strikeout whiff rates, his overall struggles persisted throughout the season.

Writer James Riggenbach highlights that while Gordon excelled at limiting walks with a 5.1% walk rate, poor pitch location led to heavy damage from opponents. Gordon posted a 7.97 ERA as a starter compared to a 5.21 mark in relief, and suffered heavily at Coors Field with a 9.25 home ERA. Riggenbach argues bulk relief may be a more practical role for Gordon going into 2027.