Colorado Rockies: 3 numbers that surprised us 60 games into the season

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Apr 27, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia takes his turn at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Colorado Rockies finished off a 3-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field, the Rockies reached a milestone mark of the season, completing their 60th game of the 2021 campaign.

That 60-game mark takes on a little more impact this season than it has perhaps in years past. After all, it was just last season that the Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball were held to just a 60-game regular season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season, however, the Rockies still have 102 games left to play. But, in a moment where we can compare some things from last season to how they look this season, we’re going to take advantage of that opportunity.

Let’s compare some statistics for the Colorado Rockies at the season’s 60-game mark.

Let’s start with Colorado’s record through 60 games in 2021 (24-36) versus their record from 2020 (26-34). The Rockies are two wins behind where they were at this point last season, and part of that can be attributed to a 4-22 mark on the road. In 2020, Colorado was a respectable 14-16 away from Coors Field as a part of their 60-game schedule.

Who is leading the Colorado Rockies in OPS+?

Remember when the Rockies took a chance on signing first baseman C.J. Cron to a minor league contract before the season began, with the hopes that Cron was not only healed from a knee injury he suffered in the 2020 season but also that he could provide a power bat for the Rockies in the middle of the lineup?

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Well, the 31-year-old Cron has done just that. Despite missing some time in mid-May with a lower back strain, Cron is tied for second on the Rockies with five homers and is leading the squad with a 110 OPS+. His play, as well as his affordable one-year, $1 million deal with Colorado, will surely have Cron among the players who will draw interest from teams as we near the trade deadline.

So who led the Rockies in OPS+ in Colorado’s 60-game slate in 2020? That would be Trevor Story, who posted a 120+ and was one of just three Colorado players to post over 100+ OPS in 2020 (Kevin Pillar’s 103 in 24 games and Charlie Blackmon’s 104 in 59 games joined Story on the triple-digit list).

This season, Story sits at an OPS+ of 95 while Blackmon is once again one of three Rockies in triple-digits (104). Cron is the leader, with Ryan McMahon at 108.

Speaking of RyMac, let’s talk about a surprising number with him next.

DENVER, CO – APRIL 6: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies gestures to celebrate his third home run of the game, a seventh-inning solo shot, against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 6, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Let’s talk about Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies hitting home runs

While home run numbers aren’t everything in today’s game, what Ryan McMahon has done at the plate with the Rockies through the first 60 games of the season is quite interesting.

This season, McMahon has 13 home runs to lead the club, which is more than any Rockies hitter had during last season’s 60-game stretch (Trevor Story finished with 11, while McMahon came in second with nine).

With McMahon setting the pace in home runs, there’s an interesting tie for second on the team in the category. Six players (Dom Nuñez, Joshua Fuentes, C.J. Cron, Raimel Tapia, Garrett Hampson, and Story) have each hit five homers to split the current second-place power spot.

The chasm between first and second in terms of homers shows how Colorado’s power has dwindled from the first 60 games of 2020 to the first 60 games of 2021. Last season, the Rockies hit 63 home runs (coming in 11th of 15 National League teams in the category). This season through 60 games, Colorado has hit 53 homers (ranking 12th of the NL’s 15 teams).

McMahon is certainly doing his part in hitting the long ball, including the longest one for the Rockies this season, a 478-foot blast on May 15 that is the fourth-longest hit by any MLB player this season and the fifth-longest ever by a Rockies player in the Statcast era. Check it out below.

May 22, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (52) pitches in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

So has the Colorado Rockies bullpen been better or worse in 2021 than 2020?

There are plenty of numbers out there that show, through the first 60 games of 2021, the Colorado bullpen has been better as a whole than it was during the 60-game season of 2020.

Let’s look at opponent slash line against the bullpen first.

2020 (954 plate appearances): .305/.386/.533 with an OPS of .919

2021 (885 plate appearances): .266/.351/.479 with an OPS of .830

In 2020, the strikeout/walk ratio was 1.90 compared to 2.01 in 2021.

Last season, the Rockies bullpen gave up 58 doubles, eight triples, and 38 homers as part of 439 total bases allowed. This season, Colorado relievers have surrendered 47 doubles, 11 triples, and 31 home runs as part of 365 total bases allowed.

The 2020 bullpen ERA sat at 6.77 and WHIP was 1.670. In 2021, those numbers are 5.38 and 1.520.

Is Colorado’s bullpen dramatically better? No, but it has been incrementally better than it was during a horrific showing last season.

Where Charlie Blackmon stands in the franchise record books. dark. Next

Some final thoughts

Certainly, it’s tough to compare seasons since there are different players on this year’s roster compared to last season and many players have said just how tough the 2020 season was in terms of playing during a pandemic.

However, there are some interesting trends developing with this year’s Colorado team through 60 games that will be fascinating to watch continue or dissolve as the rest of the season unfolds.

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