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3 moves the Rockies need to make to turn the season around

It's time the Rockies make some changes

By Tanner Vogt |
Colorado Rockies v Toronto Blue Jays
Colorado Rockies v Toronto Blue Jays / Vaughn Ridley/GettyImages
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You may not be a fan of how the Rockies have performed, especially when you just look at their overall record. The team has certainly struggled, but they have had a tough schedule to begin the year and fans need to understand this team is going to need to focus more on process over results. A win for the Rockies this year is if they can see some of their young talent develop and take that next step forward.

That's not to say we need to accept the Rockies losing. Fans would love to see these youngsters develop like they should and if they do, there's a good chance that this team wins more game than last years' squad anyways. We have seen some solid growth from those youngsters already, and though the wins aren't there, the product on the field at times is solid, with a lot of fight from a young team. Today, we are going to look at how the Rockies can embrace the process, looking to the future, while still putting an emphasis on improving the product on the field.

Move Brenton Doyle up in the lineup

This offense has been a very interesting one so far in 2024. An offense that we thought would be carried by Nolan Jones, with a lof of other question marks and some young players that we hope would take some steps forward has been vastly different.

Nolan Jones is hitting just .203 with a near 38% strikeout rate. He's put up just a 64 wRC+ that ranks eighth on the team. He has just one home run, causing manager, Bud Black, to move the lefty down to sixth in the lineup.

One player that has taken more strides than anyway would have predicted is Brenton Doyle. The defensive ace has looked so comfortable, putting together a string of solid at bats and the swing changes he made late last year are working!

Now, Doyle is still striking out over 32% of the time, but if he is going to hit .309 (or anywhere even close to that) you will take that strikeout rate 10 times out of 10. The surprising factor that has popped in Doyle's game is the power. Doyle leads the team, so far, in home runs with three; he is tied for the team lead in doubles with five and leads the team in extra-base hits.

Without a doubt, Doyle needs to be moved up in the lineup, especially on days when Charlie Blackmon gets the day off. Doyle has the potential to be a solid table setter that could steal 20-30 bases if he can get on-base over 30% of the time.

Cut back Kris Bryant's playing time... a lot

This is without a doubt the one that the Rockies, and Bud Black need to do (or should have done a week ago). Bryant just doesn't look like a major league level hitter right now. The former MVP continues to disappoint fans as he is again plagued with a lingering injury and can't produce.

The surface level stats are awful for Bryant and it's not surprising why fans are upset with the performance of the right-handed slugger. Bryant has the sixth most plate appearances, having played in all but three of the team's games. During that time Bryant has spent time hitting second, third, fourth and fifth in the lineup, yet he is one of the biggest liabilities this team could trot out at first base or right field.

At this point, you just have to bite the bullet on the Bryant contract. You cannot let it hinder you from letting some of the young players that you have develop, however. Elehuris Montero and Michael Toglia are both young players with an immense amount of talent. They both actually have a shot at being legit contributors when this team is (hopefully) contending again. Bryant should be playing in about three games a week, while Toglia and Montero need to be playing a majority of the games to show what they can do.

Let the young bullpen arms eat

This one might be a little hard to wrap your head around but hear me out. This bullpen has cost the team a few wins, it's early, so it's difficult to be too critical of them, but there is not denying that they have been bad. This team could have a few more wins if they would've just gotten adequate bullpen help. The Rockies don't have a lot of talent in their bullpen, and unless they are going to go out and take flyers on guys like Brad Hand to try and flip at the deadline, why not just let the exciting prospects you do have, prove themselves?

The first name that comes to mind is Jaden Hill. The hard throwing righty looked really good this spring, and I was very much of the opinion that he should have been on this Opening Day roster. When you look at the arms in the Rockies bullpen, you can't tell me with confidence that any of them have better stuff than Hill. The former LSU product doesn't have a lot of professional baseball experience, but this spring, he showed he's ready. As a college arm, that went up against really good SEC competition, the jump for Hill won't be as difficult. The team needs help back there and Hill is one of the most talented pitchers the Rockies have.

Another exciting arm that should be added to the bullpen is former first round pick, Riley Pint. Whereas Jaden HIll does a great job at controlling the zone and limiting walks, Pint really struggles with it. But who cares, the bullpen currently has a walk rate of 6.46 walks per nine, can things really get that much worse? Plus, like Hill, Pint would join this bullpen and instantly have some of the nastiest stuff in the pen. If this bullpen is going to continue costing the team games, why not at least let a pair of super high ceiling relievers compete?

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