Rockies looking to improve hitting fundamentals
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PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Rockies will happily begin the season Thursday night against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Otherwise, manager Bud Black wants his hitters to avoid the chase.
Pitching will always be a question for the Rockies, who have a tough home environment -- one that traditionally makes pitchers nervous. So they have to do well offensively, and the Rockies have spent six weeks of Spring Training emphasizing fundamentals in the batter’s box.
“It’s got to improve, for sure,” Black said. “We underperformed last year [a 59-103 finish]. We’ve got to up the on-base percentage -- that’s critical for teams to score runs. We’ve got to lift our average and we’ve got to lift our walk rate.
“We’ve talked a lot about how to get there. With us, it starts with our chase rate. I’ve said it endlessly. Expanding the strike zone has been a point of emphasis in conversations and coaching and player interactions as far back as last year. So we have to get that done.”
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Addressing last year’s high strikeouts has been a theme, but it won’t be easy. Whether the players are on the less-experienced side (Elehuris Montero, Nolan Jones, Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle and Michael Toglia) experienced (Ryan McMahon, Elias Díaz), there are strikeout challenges throughout the lineup.
Beyond addressing the ability to get on base, Black noted two players -- one veteran, another young -- who can make a major difference.
Kris Bryant
Bryant simply has to be in the lineup, after appearing in just 122 games over two seasons since signing a seven-year contract. He’ll bat second, after Charlie Blackmon and before Jones and new cleanup hitter Brendan Rodgers.
Black said he is expecting “a KB-like performance like we saw in the years that he was in Chicago."
"That’s doable," Black added. "He can hit 25 homers. If you asked him, he probably won't say a number, but he might. He can knock in runs. He can score runs. The average is going to be fine. Historically, he's done that when he's played healthy. He hasn't been healthy with us.
“He's healthy right now. He's as good as he's felt since he's been here.”
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Brenton Doyle
After batting .203 with a .250 on-base percentage last year (while winning a Gold Glove), Doyle batted .280 with a .321 on-base percentage while incorporating new mechanics this spring. Doyle, hitting ninth this season, led the team with 22 steals last season, and can make a difference if he consistently reaches base and gives the top of the lineup opportunities.
“Offensively, he made great strides over the wintertime and in Spring Training,” Black said. “Now, we’ll see if it can carry over into the season. He made mechanical changes in his swing and worked really hard, starting in September.”
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'Young' guy at the top
Blackmon, 37, has taken time to cherish Spring Training the last few years, not knowing when his last would come. This has been the spring of a guy who doesn’t want to stop playing anytime soon. Blackmon led all Rockies regulars with a .383 batting average over 17 games.
“That’s as good a camp as I can recall from Chuck,” Black said. “He’s moving great. He’s got his hits. He’s swinging the bat well.”
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Getting to know each other
Expecting switch-hitting shortstop-outfielder Greg Jones to make the Opening Day roster after arriving in a trade with the Rays (for Minor League pitcher Joe Rock) was unrealistic, but the few days Jones spent in camp were valuable. The Major League staff got a chance to observe him up close before the start of the Triple-A Albuquerque season.
Jones hit .278 in a 51-game sample at Triple-A Durham last year, with seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 12 stolen bases, but knows more upper-level experience is necessary.
“They know a little about me already as a player -- I wouldn’t be here if they didn’t,” said Jones, 26. “And so far, they’ve really spent time to get to know me, and we’ll start building upon that.
“I would describe myself as a very approachable person. I don’t mind coaches being around, at the end of the day, they have the best at heart for me, so I’m always open to new things.”
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The Rockies are excited about Jones’ elite speed -- something the organization lacks. Black said the Major League staff, plus Albuquerque manager Pedro Lopez and hitting coach Jordan Pacheco, and Minor League hitting coordinator Nic Wilson have already had detailed conversations with Jones, and a development plan is being formulated.
“You can see why he was a high pick [22nd overall in 2019], and I think there is strength to the body,” Black said.