Doyle, Jones' defensive prowess a sign of Rockies' youth movement

DENVER -- Sometimes it’s a stretch to find positives in tough losses. Not this week. With the Rockies in a 1-8 stretch, including eight games against the Rays (second-best record in the American League), Orioles (best record in the AL), and Braves (best record in the Majors), Colorado can take legitimate props for putting on competitive games prior to numerous bullpen miscues.

“We're in a lot of these games,” rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle said following Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Braves. “Tampa was close, we could have easily taken two-out-of-three there. Baltimore, we honestly could have swept them. Those teams have a much higher payroll, a lot bigger names, and we have a lot of young guys who are getting opportunities and staying in games with that kind of competition. It’s pretty exciting.”

After losing by 10 runs to the Braves in the series opener Monday, the Rockies played a whole different brand of baseball against a fearsome lineup and veteran Charlie Morton’s hot hand on the mound. The subtle adaptations from one game to the next embody the learning curve this young Rockies team is riding.

Doyle recorded his eighth outfield assist, nabbing Orlando Arcia at the plate on a single to center from Ozzie Albies. He and left fielder Nolan Jones were each well-positioned to field the ball and make the throw, and the two are both showcasing elite arms, but Doyle is the guy you want to have the ball.

Rewind to Monday night when, on a similar play, Jones cut off Doyle to catch a sacrifice fly from Kevin Pillar and could not throw out Sean Murphy before he scored the go-ahead run. They were both well-positioned to make the play, but manager Bud Black agreed it was Doyle’s ball.

“Yesterday, the communication out there wasn't the best and we definitely learned from it,” Doyle said. “Giddy [outfield coach Ron Gideon] sat us down pretty good, and we talked about it. It won't happen again, that's for sure.”

It’s ultimately about playing the game the right way, and it’s the difference between a 14-4 blowout and a 3-1 squeaker.

“Jones and Doyle are well-above average on a scouting scale,” Black said prior to the game. “Those two guys are [in] the top tier of both leagues.”

Don’t take Black’s word for it. You could look it up:

• Doyle’s assist was clocked at 100.4 mph and was tied for the second-strongest outfield assist in baseball this season behind Oscar Colás' 100.9 mph. It was the Rockies’ fastest tracked outfield assist since Statcast started tracking them in 2015.

• Doyle (8) and Jones (11) already have the most outfield assists ever by a pair of Rockies rookies, surpassing Brad Hawpe (10) and Cory Sullivan (7) in 2005.

• Jones’ 11 outfield assists are second in baseball, best among rookies, and the most ever by a Rockies rookie.

• Entering play Tuesday, Doyle’s 11 outs above average on the season are the most among all NL center fielders and second in the Majors behind Luis Robert’s 12 (according to Statcast). No Rockies center fielder has ever finished a season with more than six. Doyle had six in July alone, leading all Major League outfielders.

• Doyle’s 95.8 mph average arm speed is eighth among all outfielders and first among centerfielders.

• Jones’ 98.9 mph average arm speed is best among all position players.

• Doyle’s 93-game errorless streak is the second longest for a Rockies rookie, behind Matt Reynolds’ 94 in 2010-11.

“To the baseball eye, he's got a great arm, that's what [100.4 mph] tells me,” Black said. “When I watch him run balls down, it tells me he's got range. When he dives and makes a great play it tells me he's got athleticism and aggressiveness as a defender. He's making his mark as a Major League defender. On that side of the ball, he's doing awesome, he's doing remarkable.”

As far as the other side of the ball, suffice it to say, Doyle’s not hitting his weight --- though he has reached base enough to lead the team with 17 steals.

“That's huge, especially with me right now not swinging the bat the best,” Doyle said of his defense. “If I can go in the outfield and save some runs -- anything to help the team.”