Colorado Rockies: Brendan Rodgers drops bold statement

A lot is being expected of Brendan Rodgers this season as he prepares to see action in his third season at the MLB level with the Colorado Rockies. On Thursday, Rodgers gave a glimpse into why those expectations are so high … and then even added some more weight onto them.

Starting at third base for the first time this spring, Rodgers went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI as the Colorado Rockies tied the Seattle Mariners 9-9 on Thursday afternoon at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

One of those hits was a solo blast off Seattle reliever Anthony Misiewicz in the sixth inning.

However, it wasn’t the talk from Rodgers about the power surge that caught the most attention. It was instead a goal that he has set for himself in another statistical department.

"More from Colorado Rockies NewsA Colorado Rockies ThanksgivingColorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the seasonColorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers seriesColorado Rockies: 3 things we appreciated from Tuesday in San FranciscoWhat Bill Schmidt’s comments mean for the Colorado Rockies in 2023“My goal is to have 20 bags in this year. I’m an above average runner. I definitely need to continue to pick (Trevor) Story’s and (Garrett) Hampson’s and other baserunners’ brains about what they look for. I definitely want to challenge myself on the basepaths this year and get me some bags because I know how much that helps the team.“My goal is 20 bags. You heard it here first.”"

After 102 MLB plate appearances over the last two seasons, Rodgers has yet to record a stolen base. However, the 24-year-old Rodgers is expected to be one of the key pieces for the revised Rockies infield in 2021. He will likely see time at second and third base and could play some shortstop, depending on what the Rockies do with Story as the trade deadline approaches.

Story, by the way, is the last Rockies player to steal 20 bases in a season, swiping 27 in 2018 and following that with 23 in 2019.

Rodgers stole 12 bases in Double-A during a 2018 stint with Hartford, marking with career high so far at any level. He did attempt to steal a base in Thursday’s tie with the Mariners but was thrown out by former Rockies catcher Tom Murphy.