Colorado Rockies: Brendan Rodgers shows his potential at the plate

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 22: Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI double in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 22: Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits an RBI double in the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 22, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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The highly anticipated Major League debut of the Colorado Rockies’ top prospect, Brendan Rodgers, came and went with a whimper.

Those who thought Brendan Rodgers would make an immediate impact after the Colorado Rockies called him up from Triple-A Albuquerque had a rude awakening. After driving in a run in his first Major League at-bat, thanks to a nifty slide by Raimel Tapia, Rodgers struggled to find his footing against big league pitching.

In his first two games, Rodgers quickly developed a book for opposing pitchers on how to get him out. He found himself facing a steady diet of low and away breaking balls that he has been unable to lay off, including striking out to end the game in Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Phillies.

He did get his first big league hit off a weakly hit ground ball that was ruled a single after it was misplayed by the third baseman. Then a drought which included four strikeouts in his first eight at-bats led to two straight games on the bench.

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Then, on Wednesday night against the Pirates, it happened. After a couple of well-placed weak ground ball singles in his first two at-bats, he finally broke through. In the fifth inning, he barreled a fastball the opposite way to the fence for a run-scoring double.

It wasn’t all good as he was picked off at third base later in the inning. Then his next two times up, he once again struck out on a low and away breaking balls.

Despite the strikeouts, it is hard to complain about a 3-for-5 night with an RBI and a run scored. On Wednesday, he showed us glimpses regarding why he is Colorado’s top prospect.

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Brendan Rodgers didn’t break onto the scene like we all hoped he would. The Rockies will have to be patient as he goes through growing pains. Now that he has settled in after a whirlwind first few days, Rodgers can hopefully continue to make the proper adjustments that are needed to, in a perfect Rockies world, start making an everyday impact.