Colorado Rockies reasons for 2018 excitement: a rebound year for Trevor Story

In 2017, Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story was the victim of a sophomore slump. In his sophomore season in the Major Leagues, offensively, this past season was a tremendous struggle for him at times but Rockies fans can expect to see him rebound in the 2018 season.

Trevor Story broke out to surprise many in April of 2016, the first month of his rookie season. In the month of April, he hit .261 with a .324 on-base percentage and an astonishing .696 slugging percentage. That number is so high because 17 of his 24 April hits were extra-base hits and 10 of those were home runs. He also had 20 RBI in the month.

He continued to have a great season before it was cut short as he injured his thumb on July 30 and he did not play a game the rest of the season after requiring thumb surgery. On the season, he hit .272/.341/.567 with 27 home runs and 72 RBI with an OPS+ of 122 in 97 games. Extracted out to a full 162 game season, he was on pace for 46 home runs and 121 RBI.

However, in 2017, he only hit 24 home runs with 82 RBI. His average and on-base percentage each dropped 33 points to .239 and .308 and his slugging percentage dropped a whopping 110 points down to .457.

However, he was much improved, defensively, in 2017. In 2016, he had 4 Defensive Runs Saved and this season, he had 11. Some people believe that he should have been a National League Gold Glove finalist.

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Why he could have an excellent 2018 season

Considering that he was much better defensively in 2017 than he was in 2016, you would have to expect that he can put up those numbers again. With him and four-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado on the left side of the infield and former Gold Glover DJ LeMahieu at second (and both Arenado and LeMahieu were nominated for the award again this year), the Rockies infield is stellar defensively.

However, offensively, Story will be 20 months removed from his thumb surgery in August of 2016. While he or the Rockies may not admit it, he could have had some lingering issues with it this season. If he did, it would definitely be part of the reason that his offense struggled.

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Since he would be further removed from the injury, one would believe that he can return to what he did in 2016. Plus, if he is not injured in 2018 and can provide a full season of it, look out, Trevor Story could be a force to be reckoned with in the National League.