Hoffman allowed seven runs on seven hits in four innings Saturday against the Chicago Cubs in his first big league start.

EDGE Analysis

It was a double whammy for Hoffman, facing the best team in baseball in the thin air in Colorado. He walked one batter while striking out two in the 9-2 loss to the Cubbies. Hoffman held Chicago scoreless through three innings, but a throwing error opened the floodgates in the fourth. Hoffman's next start is slated for Friday at Washington.

Hoffman's contract was selected from Triple-A Albuquerque and he will start Saturday's game against the Cubs, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman offers the potential for three plus pitches down the road, and his fastball and curveball are already plus offerings, with his slider not far behind. He also features a fringe-average changeup to complete a four-pitch mix. The standard qualifications about Rockies starting pitchers still apply and Saturday's matchup is certainly not ideal, but Hoffman has the stuff to survive in any environment. He posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.36 ERA and 124:44 K:BB in 118.2 innings at Triple-A, which is actually quite impressive for a 23-year-old pitcher in their first tour of the Pacific Coast League. Hoffman has a chance to stick in the Rockies' rotation over the rest of the season and he should not necessarily be judged harshly if he falls flat on his face against a deadly Cubs lineup Saturday.

Hoffman will be called up to start Saturday's game against the Cubs, Jason Lewis of WRGB Albany reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman's 4.02 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 22 starts with Triple-A Albuquerque this season do not jump off the page, but he is one of the Rockies' top prospects and has struck out 124 batters over 118.2 innings, and the team believes he is ready for his big league debut. While Hoffman is set to start in his first major league game, the Rockies have capped his pitch count around 75 since late July, so he may only be good for a similar number of pitches Saturday.

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.