Table of Content
The 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies reviews every player who logged playing time for the team that season, utilizing Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR) as an organizing principle from lowest to highest. Coming in at No. 22 is right-handed relief pitcher Seth Halvorsen with a 0.3 rWAR, whose stint with the Colorado Rockies concluded during the 2026 season following injuries and a midseason trade.
Roadblocks and Final Appearance in Colorado
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Halvorsen possessed a fastball exceeding 100 mph. Through the end of June 2026, he ranked seventh in Major League Baseball for throwing 233 pitches at 100 mph or faster since the beginning of 2025, complementing his four-seamer with a split-finger and splitter. However, shoulder inflammation in his throwing arm, a lower strikeout rate, and the highest ERA of his three-year MLB career hindered his progress.
During the first half of the season, Halvorsen shuttled between Triple-A Albuquerque and the major league roster. On June 30, he recorded his final outing in a Rockies uniform against the Miami Marlins, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in a single inning. By July 4, he landed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 1 due to right shoulder inflammation. He completed a rehab assignment with the Isotopes on July 19, throwing a scoreless inning with two hits allowed against the Sacramento River Cats.
The Trade to the Dodgers
Halvorsen never pitched for the Rockies organization again, as a July 20 trade sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek. Before the deal, Halvorsen made 21 appearances totaling 19 innings for Colorado, posting a 4.74 ERA, two holds, 17 strikeouts, 15 walks, and a 1.95 WHIP. In 16 games with Triple-A Albuquerque, he recorded a 2.04 ERA with 24 strikeouts and seven walks across 17.2 innings.
As Purple Row reported at the time of the trade, Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta told media that Halvorsen possesses the mentality and velocity to pitch late in games. DePodesta stated that while the team was not anxious to deal him, the opportunity allowed them to acquire a player who could fill a similar bullpen role.
Performance in Los Angeles
Halvorsen exhibited a similar pattern with the Dodgers, demonstrating effectiveness in Triple-A while encountering command issues in the majors. Across 9.2 scoreless innings for the Oklahoma City Comets, he struck out 13 batters and walked four. With Los Angeles, however, he posted an 8.10 ERA over 11 innings and 10 appearances, surrendering three home runs that contributed to nine earned runs.
Overall, Halvorsen combined for 32 appearances between the Dodgers and Rockies in 2026, finishing with a 5.80 ERA and a 16.3% strikeout rate—a significant drop from his 28.3% mark during his 2024 rookie campaign. His four-seam fastball velocity also dipped from an average of 100 mph in 2025 to 98.9 mph in 2026, despite throwing 114 fewer major league pitches.
Meanwhile, Nick Frasso debuted for the Rockies on August 4 and made 20 appearances, yielding 25 hits and 14 earned runs with 22 strikeouts and seven walks over 21.2 innings. With both players possessing high potential, future performance will determine which franchise ultimately wins the trade.
