Colorado Rockies: Six season storylines from what we’ve seen in Arizona

DJ LeMahieu will have one of the best batting averages in the NL

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. DJ LeMahieu is typically in the top five for batting averages every year. He is one of the best hitters in the league at making contact and putting the ball into play. However, the ball usually is pushed to right field.

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And teams know this too. When the Rockies play the San Diego Padres in the next series, you will see the Padres’ outfield use a dramatic shift. They shift everyone over to the left, so much so that the left fielder is practically playing center field.

LeMahieu struggles pulling the ball and that is why he spent a lot of Spring Training working on that exact area. Thursday night against the Diamondbacks, it showed. On his first at bat of the season, LeMahieu pulled a pitch that landed a couple of rows deep in the left field stands. That home run put the Rockies up 1-0 to start the game.

LeMahieu is a great hitter, but this year will be one of his best years at the plate. Yes, his contact and discipline at the plate will help but it will be is ability to not only push the ball but also pull it that will help his batting average to increase from last year.