Colorado Rockies not rushing Brendan Rodgers into the MLB spotlight

SCOTTSDALE — There are plenty of Colorado Rockies fans who are wondering when they will see the debut of Brendan Rodgers at the Major League level. Rockies manager Bud Black is wanting to put the brakes on those expectations.

With injuries to Pat Valaika and Shawn O’Malley during spring training and Rodgers getting plenty of at-bats and innings in the middle infield spots, there has been plenty of chatter regarding if this is the time when Rodgers could jump from Double-A to the Majors. Black said it’s “probably a stretch” that Colorado’s top prospect could find himself still in Arizona for Opening Day against the Diamondbacks.

“There are a number of things that Brendan needs to do to tighten up his total game,” Black told Rox Pile and other media members inside the Colorado spring training complex. “He’s gaining valuable experience so far this spring, rubbing shoulders with Nolan (Arenado) and DJ (LeMahieu) and Charlie (Blackmon) and all the veteran players. Being in that group, he’s building confidence.”

The 21-year-old Rodgers batted .387 in 51 Class A games last season in Lancaster (Calif.) before being promoted to Double-A Hartford. With the Yard Goats, Rodgers hit .260 in 150 at-bats, striking out 36 times. In 222 Class A at-bats, Rodgers whiffed 35 times.

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A bit of free swinging at the plate is something Black has noticed in spring.

“With Rodgers, we’re seeing a fellow who expands the zone a little bit,” Black told Rox Pile after Rodgers belted a homer on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. “He has a tendency to expand on the breaking ball outside the zone but there’s no doubt he can get on a fastball. We just have to get him maybe a be little more selective and disciplined as time goes on.”

In 27 spring at-bats (prior to Thursday’s game against Cincinnati), Rodgers has stuck out nine times. Hitting .222, Black is giving Rodgers plenty of at-bats against Major League pitchers as a learning experience.

“This guy was in Lancaster last year and a little bit of time in Double-A. There are some things that he has to continue to improve upon. This coming year is another year of development for him,” Black told Rox Pile and other media members. “As far as making the Major League roster out of spring training, it should not be on Brendan’s radar. He has other things to think about as far as more detailed stuff on defense and more stuff in the batter’s box as well. He’s doing fine. He’s learning.”

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While it’s very possible Rodgers could quickly make the jump to Triple-A this season (or even start the year in Albuquerque), it’s clear that the Rockies are not going to rush Rodgers to Denver. With LeMahieu and Trevor Story secure in the middle infield, Colorado has the luxury of letting Rodgers develop without putting the pedal down on his progress.