Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez’s recent hot-streak

We all know that Carlos Gonzalez has had a terrible 2017 season. It doesn’t help that he is in the final year of his contract. After last season, he was offered a four year contract extension and now, he probably regrets that but he has done much better lately.

In 2016, Carlos Gonzalez was an All-Star and had one of the best seasons in his career. In 150 games, he had 87 runs, 174 hits, 42 doubles, 25 home runs, 100 RBI, a .298 batting average, a .350 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage, and an OPS+ of 112.

However, in 2017, he has had a disastrous season as in 100 games, he had 46 runs, 85 hits, 20 doubles, seven home runs, 37 RBI, a .236 batting average, a .303 on-base percentage, .350 slugging percentage, and an OPS+ of 61 but these numbers have gotten much better lately.

Gonzalez since July 23

In his past 23 games (going back to July 23), Gonzalez has actually played very well. In that span, Gonzalez has had a hit in 20 of those 23 games and he has got on base in 21 of 23. Since July 23, he has nine runs, 27 hits, seven doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, a .303 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, and a .416 slugging percentage. Another stat that is very good for him in this span is BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play). His BABIP is .382 (above .300 is considered above league average).

Before July 23, he was hitting .218 with .293 on-base percentage and a .328 slugging percentage so, obviously, his numbers have improved.

Since August 9 in seven games, he has done even better as he is hitting .321 (9-for-28) with a .367 on-base percentage with five RBI.

However, his power numbers still haven’t gone up much (as indicated with his home runs and slugging percentage).

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Final Thoughts

In Wednesday’s game, the Rockies won by a score of 17-2 and the Rockies got help from nearly everybody but Gonzalez had just had a walk in their rout of the Braves. Trevor Story had three hits and six RBIs and Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra each had three hits and four RBIs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, over the last 50 seasons, only two other National League teams had three players produce at least three hits and four RBIs in a nine-inning game. Coincidentally, both of the others happened against  the Rockies.

The two instances were the Cincinnati Reds against the Rockies on May 19, 1999 (Sean Casey, Jeffrey Hammonds and Brian Johnson) and the Phillies against the Rockies on May 26, 2008 (Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz and Chris Coste).

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It’s a good sign that Gonzalez is starting to break out of his year-long slump because the Rockies will need his bat in the wild-card game and if they continue into a deep playoff run. However, Gonzalez and Rockies hitting coach Duane Espy are going to have to continue to fix his swing and tweak his approach at the plate to increase his power numbers (particularly, for doubles and triples in the gaps of Coors Field). If he can produce like he is capable for the stretch run and the team in the playoffs, the Rockies chances of winning will be much higher.