Hoffman, 23, allowed six earned runs on seven hits in just 2.2 innings Monday for Triple-A Albuquerque.

EDGE Analysis

That's the second time in four outings that Hoffman has surrendered at least six earned runs. He has failed to pitch more than five innings in four-straight starts. After being considered for a promotion to the big leagues earlier this summer, Hoffman's ERA has risen from 2.67 on June 3 to 4.35.

Hoffman is "pretty close" to getting promoted to the big leagues, according to manager Walt Weiss, the Denver Post's Nick Groke reports.

EDGE Analysis

This lines up with the speculation regarding the Rockies' top pitching prospect, but it's the first time Weiss has admitted Hoffman is knocking on the door. Tyler Chatwood could come off the DL to replace Eddie Butler on Monday of next week, and when Hoffman inevitably gets the call, he will likely replace Jorge De La Rosa. Hoffman has a 3.49 ERA and 88:29 K:BB in 87.2 innings at Triple-A, and would be an intriguing option, especially as a spot starter for his road starts.

Hoffman, 23, has a 3.53 ERA and 79:29 K:BB in 81.2 innings for Triple-A Albuquerque.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman's numbers look even better when taking into account the hitter-friendly confines of the California League. He is coming off one of his best starts of the season in which he fanned 11 batters in seven innings. The Rockies are always desperate for pitching, and as a result, Hoffman could get the call in short order.

Hoffman, 23, has submitted a 2.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 42:16 K:BB ratio across 47.2 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque.

EDGE Analysis

While pitching at Albuquerque isn't quite as challenging as Coors Field, it's still a fairly hitter-friendly environment, so it's quite encouraging that Hoffman has excelled to this extent. The Rockies probably aren't tabbing Hoffman for a full-time role in the rotation until 2017, but he could push up that timeline if he continues to thrive at Triple-A or if one of the Rockies' back-end starters starts to falter.