Table of Content
The 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies reviews every player who logged playing time for the team during the season, utilizing Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR) as an organizing principle starting from the lowest to the highest. Ranked at No. 23 is left-handed pitcher Parker Mushinski, who finished the year with 0.2 rWAR.
From Minor Leagues to the Rockies
Parker Mushinski was originally selected by the Houston Astros in the 2017 draft and made his Major League debut in 2022 after working his way through the minor leagues. He spent the following three seasons moving between Houston’s Triple-A affiliate and the major-league roster before reaching free agency after the 2024 campaign. Following a 2025 season spent entirely at Triple-A in the Cleveland Guardians organization, Mushinski entered free agency once more during the offseason.
The Rockies signed the 30-year-old left-hander to a minor-league contract shortly after hiring Paul DePodesta as their president of baseball operations. Initially invited to Major League spring training, Mushinski was released after giving up 10 runs across 8.2 innings. Unable to secure a major-league deal elsewhere, he re-signed with the Rockies on another minor-league contract just two days later.
Triple-A Success and Major League Call-Up
Mushinski began the campaign at Triple-A, aiming for a mid-season promotion to the big leagues in a routine he had experienced in three of the previous four years. During the opening four months of the season, he pitched 48 innings for the Albuquerque Isotopes, posting a 3.38 ERA in the offense-heavy Pacific Coast League while handling a versatile role that included six starts and long relief appearances.
On August 4, the Rockies promoted Mushinski to the major-league roster to bolster their bullpen following trade deadline moves involving Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik. In his team debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, he pitched a scoreless seventh inning despite allowing a single to Ben Williamson and a walk to Yandy Diaz.
Up and Down Tenure in Denver
Mushinski’s debut encapsulated his entire stint with the Major League club. Across eight appearances for the Rockies, he surrendered only two runs despite permitting numerous baserunners. While he finished with a 2.70 ERA, it was accompanied by a 2.10 WHIP and a 5.35 FIP, and he failed to record a single strikeout over his 6.2 innings of work.
By late August, the team moved away from relying on the volatile outings that characterized his time in the majors. Mushinski cleared waivers and returned to the Albuquerque Isotopes, making 10 more appearances to close out the minor-league season without receiving another call back to the big-league roster.
Following the conclusion of the season, Mushinski officially elected free agency, though a return to the Rockies for the 2027 campaign remains a possibility.
