SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Those who watch Rockies right-hander German Marquez pitch invariably come to a similar impression. It goes something like this: “It looks like he’s throwing so smooth and easy that I can’t believe he throws that hard.”

But he does. Just ask second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who took live batting practice against Marquez earlier this week.

“He’s got this really heavy fastball that’s tough to handle,” LeMahieu said. “He throws it so easily, but then the ball kind of jumps on top of you.”

Marquez, who celebrated his 22nd birthday Wednesday, is a quiet young man. But he’s intensely competitive and definitely in the mix to break camp as a member of the starting rotation. With that goal in mind, Marquez decided against pitching for his native Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, saying he wanted to focus on his opportunity with the Rockies.

As it stands now, Marquez’s chief competition comes from right-hander Jeff Hoffman and lefties Kyle Freeland and Chris Rusin, all of whom entered camp with higher profiles. That doesn’t deter Marquez’s hopes.

“I think I have a shot,” he said Wednesday. “I know I have good stuff and I’m ready to compete to make the team.”

The 6-foot-1, 209-pound righty throws a four-seam fastball that sizzles at 93-96 mph, a 92 mph two-seamer capable of inducing groundballs and a 79 mph, late-breaking curveball that’s particularly effective against left-handed hitters. In order to regularly succeed at the major-league level, Marquez knows he must master another pitch, in this case, a changeup.

“I’ve been working on my changeup through the years, and now I’m starting to develop it better,” he said.

New manager Bud Black studied a lot of video of Marquez over the offseason, enabling Black to rattle off a quick scouting report.

“I’ve been impressed by German,” Black said. “Going through the winter, and talking to our minor-league people, he’s a guy that our organization is very high on. There is a lot to like for a kid who just turned 22. … The ball comes out of his hand really well and there is a nice finish. He has an aggressive mind-set. He has a lot of the variables that to go into making a successful pitcher. So my initial impressions are extremely positive.” Related Articles February 22, 2017 Kiszla: Carlos Gonzalez contract talks going nowhere, Rockies show little urgency to keep him beyond 2017

February 22, 2017 “It’s stupid.” Rockies have mixed feelings about MLB nixing intentional walk pitches

February 22, 2017 Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis gets good news on cancer diagnosis: “This is a huge day for me.”

Marquez came to Colorado last winter as part of the Corey Dickerson trade that brought lefty reliever Jake McGee from Tampa Bay. While McGee had a disappointing first season with the Rockies, Marquez climbed the minor-league ladder quickly and made his big-league debut. He had never pitched above High-A with the Rays, but the Rockies sent him to Double-A Hartford and he dominated the Eastern League, posting a 2.85 ERA over 21 starts and winning pitcher of the year honors.

After a pit stop at Triple-A Albuquerque, Marquez made his major-league debut Sept. 8 at San Diego. Jangled nerves produced a sub-par performance in which he gave up three runs on two hits and an uncharacteristic three walks in 2 ⅓ innings. But then he gathered himself and pitched scoreless relief appearances in his next two outings.

In his three subsequent starts, he showed more good than bad. In his first start, he held St. Louis to one run and four hits over five innings in an 11-1 Rockies victory at Coors Field. At San Francisco, the Giants ripped him for 12 hits and six runs in 4 ⅓ innings during a 12-3 loss.

Marquez finished with an encouraging performance in the season finale against Milwaukee at Coors Field. He got a no decision, but pitched six strong innings, giving up two runs on six hits. Best of all, he struck out seven and walked only one. He impressed teammates with his talent and demeanor.

“Watching him last year, I thought he competed really well,” LeMahieu said. “He wants the game to be in his hands. It will be fun to see what’s next for him.”

The Book on Marquez

Age: 22

Size: 6-foot-1, 209 pounds

2016 MLB stats: 1-1, 5.23 ERA (six games, three starts)

Pitches: 93-96 mph four-seam fastball; 92 mph two-seam fastball; 79 mph curveball; 83 mph changeup

— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post