Colorado Rockies: 3 interesting statistics that make you think

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
1 of 2
Next
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Brendan Rodgers #65 of the Colorado Rockies poses on photo day during MLB Spring Training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 22, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Brendan Rodgers #65 of the Colorado Rockies poses on photo day during MLB Spring Training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 22, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Numbers always tell a story in professional baseball. Whether they are the metrics we grew up with or today’s advanced metrics, we can use statistics to learn more about the Colorado Rockies and how they are performing.

With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at some very interesting numbers and see exactly what they meant and how they might impact the game in 2018.

First, let’s take a look at one of the future Rockies and an impressive number he has already put up in spring training.

More from Rox Pile

Brendan Rodgers hit a ball hard on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. While they may not seem like a big deal to you, it was a big deal because of how hard he hit it.

According to a tweet, the 21-year-old Rodgers blasted a single where the speed of the hit was clocked at 110.6 miles per hour. Last season, every Major League shortstop combined to hit just 17 balls at that speed or higher. Think about that for a minute.

Hitting the ball hard usually results in good things and Rodgers is already showing that that is among his many skills. While we may not see Rodgers in Denver this season (or perhaps we will, depending on his development, injuries and/or Colorado’s push for a playoff spot), he is already showing that his bat will pay dividends for the Rockies.

Speaking of bats, let’s look at another number that jumps out…

MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 11: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a two-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Let’s be honest … we all know that Nolan Arenado can smash the ball. However, it seems that the Colorado All-Star third baseman will be an even worse nightmare for the pitchers who try to throw him inside.

Last season, according to this tweet, Arenado slugged a league-best .930 on inside fastballs. To put that in perspective, the rest of Major League hitters slugged .483.

And it’s not just that Arenado is a terror on inside pitches. It’s also that he has gotten better every season at blasting them. In 2014, his slugging percentage on inside fastballs sat at .639. It rose to .683 in 2015 and .895 in 2016 before last year’s mark of .930.

More from Colorado Rockies News

Can Arenado get better at what he does? Absolutely, he’s already shown that in many areas of his game, including blasting inside fastballs.

Speaking of Arenado, our friends at Cubbies Crib produced a great article comparing Arenado to Kris Bryant, something that we know happens all of the time and will continue to happen as long as these two young and impressive third basemen keep dominating the game the way that they do. Some of the numbers in their article were fascinating as well and actually pushed the Arenado vs. Bryant debate over into Colorado’s favor.

With runners in scoring position last season, Bryant slashed .237/.373/.458. Arenado, however, in the same circumstances, put up numbers of .385/.469/.801. Some of those numbers for Arenado were included in this video that we can watch any time and realize it’s one of the top moments in franchise history.

In 2017’s “high-leverage situations,” Arenado put up a slash line of .337/.407/.674, again better than Bryant. Cubbies Crib paid the highest compliment by saying, “Arenado was clearly the better hitter when the temperature in the room got a tad uncomfortable.”

Next: How Colorado batters fared versus various velocities in 2017

Arenado already has the All-Star resume and many expect Rodgers to have it some day as well. Both have numbers that show the Rockies are more than happy to have them in their spring training clubhouse.

Next