Colorado Rockies: Numbers show Kris Bryant’s resurgence

When Kris Bryant returned from his second stint of the season on the injured list, Colorado Rockies fans were curious how long it would take the team’s biggest signing of the offseason to start producing some attention-grabbing numbers. As it turns out, it didn’t take too long at all.

Since returning from the injured list on June 27, Kris Bryant has been putting up some big numbers for the Colorado Rockies

In his first 17 games as a member of the Colorado Rockies after signing a seven-year, $182 million deal in the offseason, Bryant posted some pedestrian numbers with a .270 batting average and no home runs. Only four of his 17 hits at the time had gone for extra bases and he had four RBI to his credit.

That was then, however. This is now.

In the 11 games since returning from the injured list after battling back issues for a second time this season, Bryant has been the difference-maker the Rockies envisioned him to be in the middle of the lineup. His batting average has climbed to .341 and he has powered four home runs, hits that are included in his seven extra-base hits during the time frame. Additionally, he has six RBI, giving him 10 on the season overall.

Colorado manager Bud Black has at times said that when Bryant is healthy, he can be the best player in the Rockies lineup. Bryant is living up to those words with what he has done in recent games, including the damage he is doing away from Coors Field.

All of Bryant’s home runs have come on the road, and all have come since July 5. Three have come in the last two days as Bryant logged two in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, then added a first-inning home run off Madison Bumgarner to give the Rockies the early lead before Arizona came back to claim the contest.

Can Bryant log his first Coors Field home run before the All-Star break? The Rockies finish up the road trip in Arizona on Sunday before seven games in Denver to end the season, including four with the San Diego Padres and three with the Pittsburgh Pirates.