Here's why Bryant is trending up entering ‘24

This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding’s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant's 437-foot home run on Saturday against the Athletics illustrated why the Rockies are repeatedly knocking on wood in the hope for health in the third year of Bryant’s seven-year, $182 million contract.

Bryant’s third homer this spring -- this one coming against A’s lefty Kyle Muller -- had been coming after he went deep twice in the first six games this spring. Since then, there had been many fly balls -- some hit harder than others -- but none had cleared the fence since March 4.

That’s a fault, Bryant said, that can be corrected to delightful results.

“It was a 2-2 breaking ball; honestly, I just flipped at it and it went pretty far,” said Bryant, who played right field on Saturday and will also see time at first base and designated hitter. “I have a tremendous amount of trust in myself and in what I can do.

“I'm super happy because the ball is [being hit] in the air. I'm not out in front of balls where I'm just rolling over to the third baseman. That's more a situation where there's some work that needs to be done. Making outs in the air, deep flyouts, that's what we're trying to do -- drive the ball in the air. If I stay right there, you know, I know the results will come.”

The story of Rockies camp has centered around several players who have leaped off the prospect list, and the expectation that younger players who got a peek into the Majors at the end of Colorado’s 59-103 season in 2023 will take the next step in ‘24.

But any chance to grow into a true competitor sooner than later rests with veterans such as Bryant performing to expectations. The prospects aren’t sure enough or close enough to surpass Bryant. Manager Bud Black greets any suggestion that they could be with the .278/.376/.504 slash line Bryant produced from 2015-21 before injuries limited him to just 122 games in his first two seasons in Purple Pinstripes.

“He was just getting under some balls,” Black said with a lightness and hope in his voice. “But that ball [on Saturday] was smoked.”

Bryant offered defiance when discussing the Rockies’ 2024 batting order, which has had some high Cactus League run outputs.

But before and until Colorado proves otherwise, Bryant knows the team is dealing with low expectations and the fact that its accomplishments figure to be discounted because the Rockies play at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

“We’ve got a good lineup,” Bryant said. “I don’t think we get enough credit for the offensive side, just because we are playing in Coors Field and the negativity around that because it’s a good hitter’s park. I’ll take our offense any day. If we can put it all together with good at-bats, I think we have a good chance this year.

“My couple years here, I’ve been impressed with guys showing up, caring and having that positive mindset each and every day. This camp does feel a little bit different. Guys are really excited. Guys are putting together really good at-bats. If we keep doing that, we might surprise some people.”