Colorado Rockies: Bud Black talks about Matt Holliday

For the Colorado Rockies, one of their best bats of late has been Matt Holliday, who was signed on a minor league contract in July by the Rockies and the veteran has proved that his signing has paid dividends.

In a bit of a puzzling move that perturbed some Rockies fans, the only move that the Rockies did to improve their offense before the July trade deadline was sign Matt Holliday to a minor league deal.

Many fans liked the move for the nostalgia of when Holliday was in his hey-day with the Rockies a decade ago. However, few fans, if anybody, could have expected Holliday to be as successful as he has been in his brief stint in the major leagues this season.

Rockies manager Bud Black spoke with the media, including our own Kevin Henry, in San Francisco on Saturday about what Holliday can bring to the table.

"“I know that we’ve been using him primarily starting against lefties but, against either both a left or right-handed pitcher, I think he give us a good at-bat,” Black said.“He’s dangerous with power, but I think it’s an everyday solid at-bat–and so far, he’s producing so you gotta like the results–but it’s an experienced player that goes up there with a good plan going into the at-bat…”"

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Holliday has played in 17 games for the Rockies entering Sunday and he is hitting .359/.479/.564 and a 165 OPS+. He also has 14 hits, including 2 doubles and 2 home runs, and 3 RBI in 39 at bats.

In Rookie-ball Grand Junction and Triple-A Albuquerque, in 55 at-bats, Holliday had 19 hits, including five doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, and he hit .345/.455/.600 so, essentially, since he signed with the team, he has been hitting the cover off of the ball.

When asked if he was surprised by Holliday doing so well, Bud Black said this.

"“No, I’m not…He kept himself in great shape from a year ago when the season ended, when he was with the Yankees. I think he continued on just with workouts. He just stays in shape through the course of this season,” Black said.“[In] the early part of this season, I think he was in Florida continuing to work out, continuing to put a bat in his hand, and do some baseball related activities to keep him ready in case [he signed with somebody].”"

He also added why he thinks Holliday has done so well for the Rockies.

"“I think that’s experience. I think that’s confidence in his own skin. I think that, knowing the type of player that he is, his ability, that leads to comfort.”"

Even though he has not played a ton, seeing this stretch from Holliday is good and if he keeps going on it, he could really help the Rockies if they make the postseason.