SAN FRANCISCO -- The end of one of the Rockies’ best runs of play this season began with Brendan Rodgers, their surging No. 2 hitter, sustaining a bruised right hand when hit by a pitch from the Marlins’ Zach Pop on Saturday night. But to paraphrase the cool kids, don’t cry because it’s over; smile because you might have seen the future.

Before the injury, Rodgers, who was out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game on Friday night against the Giants, had a 14-game hit streak during which he batted .362 and posted a 1.076 OPS. The 8-6 record the team compiled during that stretch even included three road wins, which have been hard to come by.

With Rodgers frustratingly hoping the swelling in his hand reduces, and with leadoff man Raimel Tapia on the 10-day injured list with a right big toe sprain, the Rockies scored one run while being swept in a two-game series at Houston and faced the Giants again with a makeshift lineup.

But bruises heal, and the Rockies believe the bumps they are taking in 2021 will lead to them becoming a competitor. Rodgers, 25, is one of the reasons.

Finally a mainstay in the lineup, after a long injury history, Rodgers overall is slashing .286/.348/.485. Even more, he is embracing the expectations that come with being a top pick (third overall in 2015), and being asked to make a major leap.

The pitching that led the Rockies to postseason appearances in 2017 and 2018 is still in hand, with key members maturing into their primes. But when this season ends, the Rockies will go into the offseason with a lineup populated mainly with complementary players, some of whom may grow into stars. To take advantage of their pitching, the Rockies need to add proven impact players to their lineup -- but it would help if Rodgers becomes one of those.

“We have a good group coming up and a good group here right now,” Rodgers said. “I wouldn’t say I stress it on my shoulders, but I know how I am in the clubhouse and what I bring to the table. Hopefully, that will wear off on some guys and hopefully turn this team into contenders.”

Projecting when Rodgers will reach full effectiveness is difficult, but the move to the No. 2 spot has been a revelation. Rodgers has a short, quick swing that allows bat control. It also could help him handle the differences in pitch movement between Coors Field, where the atmosphere limits movement, and the road.

“He's just growing before our eyes in a lot of areas, but I think it starts with the talent as a hitter,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “This swing is starting to show up on a regular basis in the big leagues.”

Rodgers’ defense is best described as progressing. A shortstop throughout the Minors, Rodgers has played mostly second base because of the presence of veteran Trevor Story -- a free agent at season’s end. During injury-shortened trials in 2019 and 2020, Rodgers looked to be a second baseman, but part of that may have been shoulder injuries that cropped up both years.

Rodgers has seen time at both spots this year and his throwing and foot movement have improved steadily. But the occasional double play is not made because of his body positioning, and the speed of the game can get him if he doesn’t properly anticipate a play.

But the desire to improve is strong. Third-base coach Stu Cole, who works with infielders, adheres to a good coaching principle of not jumping on every mistake. When a guy comes off the field, he often has to prepare for his next at-bat. True growth comes when the player processes the mistake before coming to Cole.

“He knows when he should have made a play, so I don’t have to always go to him,” Cole said. “But then he will come to me and say, ‘Stu, what have you got on that?’ And I’ll give my opinion. He wants to learn.”

He also has an improvement plan. Although injuries are still an issue -- he missed the beginning of the year with a right hamstring injury -- increased strength training has helped. But he sees footwork and flexibility as areas to improve.

“I’m thinking of taking pilates in the offseason -- I’m hearing a lot of good things about it,” he said. “I’m pretty flexible, but I can learn more about my hips and core and being more flexible.”

Story’s rise to stardom was immediate, with a record-setting April in 2016. Rodgers has taken longer, but Story believes it will happen.

“He loves the game, and you see all the work he puts into it,” Story said. “You see how passionate he is.

“And he’s just being himself. That’s all he needs to be a good player.”