It can be quite difficult to get free agent pitchers to come to play for the Colorado Rockies, especially high-quality arms. Due to this added challenge, the team has to focus on drafting and developing arms while snagging bargain bin pickups via free agency and waiver claims.

During the Rule-5 Draft in December, the Rockies decided to take a chance on a right-handed pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Anthony Molina, 22, hails from Venezuela and should spend the majority of the season on the Rockies big league roster. The hope is that Molina can develop into a starting option for the Rockies or perhaps even a reliever. The fact of the matter, however, is that the Rockies may have struck gold with Molina.

In 7 1/3 innings this spring, Molina has been solid. He’s allowed three earned runs on nine hits but what has stood out the most is his strikeout abilities. He’s tallied nine punchouts against just two walks, which is an encouraging factor that made him attractive for the Rockies.

Last season, Molina went a combined 5-7 with a 4.50 ERA at Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. He had 102 strikeouts against 38 walks in 122 innings and has a career 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio. When it was apparent the Rays weren’t going to protect him, the Rockies swooped in to snag him because of the hints of familiarity in his pitching profile.

It’s the hints of Germán Márquez that had Rockies scout Jack Gillis pushing for the move.

“[Molina] was actually two levels higher than when we traded for Márquez.” said Rockies director of pro scouting Sterling Monfort to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. “The numbers were about the same as Márquez — he was not a huge strikeout guy until he got to us and developed the offspeed and fastball. Not saying they’re going to be the same guy, but we’re hoping.”

Molina rides a big fastball. Clocking in between 96-98 mph it’s a big reason why he is able to get the strikeout numbers.

“I take pride in being in the zone,” Molina said to reporters, with Rockies bullpen catcher Aaron Muñoz interpreting. “It’s very important just to dominate a hitter. I like to concentrate on a little target.”

Staying in the zone has a been a problem for the Rockies over the past few seasons. The team has ranked in the top 10 in most walks issued the past two seasons, a stat they are continually trying to cut down on. The hope is that Molina can help control the zone better and continue to develop as a starter.

The plan is to initially have him work out of the bullpen as a long reliever this season with the occassional opportunity to make some starts. The Rockies hope that beyond this season, Molina can become a factor for the rotation, even if it means time in the minors after this season.

At the moment, Molina is primarily a two-pitch pitcher. He features the fastball with zip and an excellent changeup. The team is working with him to develop a breaking ball of sorts, but reports indicate that he is also favoring a cutter and/or slider in his repetoire. Despite the necessity of growth for Molina, one can’t help but feel positive about his prospects for the coming season and beyond.

Entering the season, Molina ranks as the No. 27 prospect in the Rockies organizatio per MLB Pipeline. While many of the prospects on the list have the benefit of working and developing in the minors this season, Molina will be getting on the job training. As a Rule-5 pick he will have to stay on the big league roster for the entirety of the season or be offered back to the Rays. The Rockies are in a adventageous situation where they aren’t exactly entering a year of expected contention. Rather, it’s a team in a rebuild that is focusing on the need for youth and finding out who will be the staples moving forward.

Molina has the chance to learn firsthand from veterans like Márquez and Antonio Senzatela. Already, he has latched onto the pitchers, seeking guidance and learning about the day-to-day life in the majors. The Rockies have learned a lesson to not try and overcoach and tinker with a player, especially a pitcher. Instead, there will be minor corrections and guidance to help a pitcher, like Molina, play true to who they are as a pitcher. He fits the mold of a young Senzatela, but with more of an ability to get strikeouts.

There will be plenty of notable young arms in the bullpen for the Rockies this season. Molina, as young as he is, has the chance to be something special for Colorado. If all goes according to plan, he could end up being a staple for some years and prove that the Rockies have struck gold.