Rockies have confidence in lineup with Rodgers batting cleanup

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Brendan Rodgers still seeks the full season of production that will lift him from solid regular to star. If it happens this year, he’s in the right lineup spot -- cleanup.

Rodgers’ resume doesn’t scream 4-hole: 15 homers in 102 games in 2021, 13 in 137 games in 2022. But Rodgers, who underwent left shoulder surgery last March and appeared in just 46 games in ‘23, and the Rockies believe there is more power within him.

“I'm definitely getting some stuff from the guys: ‘Rodgers, cleanup again,’” said Rodgers, who has had occasional cleanup duty during his career. “It's a good feeling.”

The Rockies have been scoring a lot so far this spring, even if the order is modified. Charlie Blackmon didn't play Saturday, but shortstop Ezequiel Tovar knocked his second Cactus League homer from the leadoff spot -- a fourth-inning grand slam off Reds righty Lucas Sims in the Rockies’ 10-4 win.

“In spring, it's only to small sample size but I feel like we've got 10-plus hits in quite a few of these games,” said Rodgers, who went 1-for-2 with a strikeout and a walk, and is batting .417 (5-for-12) through five spring appearances. “We're winning a lot of ballgames. The boys are swinging the bat today -- [Tovar] with a big grand slam there.”

Manager Bud Black believes a lineup that should make opponents’ late-game relief strategy difficult can also accommodate Rodgers as he tries to grow into a lineup force.

The Rockies’ preferred lineup is a forward march -- left, right, left, right -- through the top six spots. That would be lefty-hitting leadoff man Blackmon, followed by Kris Bryant, Nolan Jones, Rodgers, Ryan McMahon and Elias Díaz.

The burden of home runs doesn’t have to fall on Rodgers’ bat. Blackmon’s power has declined in recent years, but Bryant (if he stays healthy) and Jones (if he takes any step forward after hitting 20 homers his rookie season) can give the top of the lineup some pop.

“It’s not so much the cleanup spot, but I think the balance of the lineup works with left-right, and those are our best hitters,” Black said. “And when it gets into the latter stages of the game when opposing managers start using the bullpen, it gives them a little more pause on who to bring in if there are specialists out there.”

And if Rodgers becomes a consistent home run threat, even better. In ‘21, he went deep 12 times on the road and three times at Coors Field. The power flipped in ‘22 -- 10 homers at home, three on the road. Put those performances together, and suddenly he is a run producing threat -- especially if hitters in front of him can get on base. McMahon, also looking to put together a consistent run-producing season, would offer lefty protection behind him.

“Traditionally, that is your best power hitter, but we want a guy who is a run producer -- gets RBIs, gets on base,” Black said. “The game is about runs. And this is not etched in stone.

“Brendan has power. He has doubles capability. So it makes sense for us, talking as a coaching staff.”