Colorado Rockies: 3 interesting statistics that make you think

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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.

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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) /

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.