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Colorado Rockies: The three biggest lessons to learn from the 2020 season

By Noah Yingling

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a base hit to score Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies from third base during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a base hit to score Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies from third base during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 31: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies walks off the field after striking out during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on August 31, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The Padres defeated the Rockies 6-0. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Rockies hitting approach did not work…at all

There were fewer opportunities to hear it with the shortened season but do you remember any media member (writer or broadcaster, local or national) say “you just know they’re going to hit” because they’re the Rockies and they play at Coors Field? I didn’t think so.

And that’s because, after their 11-3 start, the Rockies had the worst offense in the National League and the second-worst in baseball. That’s worse than the Pittsburgh Pirates in that same span. The Pirates went 19-41 in the entire season, which is equivalent to a 111-loss team in a regular year.

Just look at the Rockies offensive numbers on Statcast. There are 14 blue numbers (league qualifiers that were in the bottom 10 percent of a stat) and zero red numbers (league qualifiers that were in the top 10 percent of a stat).

Part of their offensive woes did come from injuries. Nolan Arenado was injured for much of the season (even though he tried to play through it) and David Dahl missed more than half of the season due to injury. But many players had bad years or they haven’t developed like the Rockies hoped. That list includes Ryan McMahon, Tony Wolters, and Daniel Murphy. Charlie Blackmon, after his torrid start, barely hit above the Mendoza line in the final seven weeks of the season.

A change in philosophy (namely more analytics) and a few new names in the Rockies lineup could give them the boost they need going into 2021.

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