Should Rockies fans be concerned with Hunter Goodman’s spring training?

Earning an All-Star selection and a National League Silver Slugger Award generates high expectations and hope for a Rockies team that just endured their worst season in franchise history.

Hunter Goodman was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season, posting a slash line of .278/.323/.520. He led the team with 31 home runs, 91 RBIs, 28 doubles, and 150 total hits.

Manager Warren Schaeffer aimed to distribute his playing time, providing breaks from catching (102 games) with occasional starts at designated hitter (39 games). We can expect that this upcoming season to help keep him fresh.

What's even funnier is that Goodman hit the best when he was catching, posting a .290/.323/.572 line, with 28 of his 31 home runs coming while he was in the field.

Goodman entered Sunday's game against the Angels hitting just .100/.194/.200, with eight strikeouts and one home run this spring. While it's just spring training, it's concerning when your best hitter is struggling to get on base and produce.

Goodman alleviated any power concerns with a home run and a 2-for-4 performance, including three RBIs, raising his average to .147 after Sunday's game. He's been making strong contact all spring, though without much to show for it until now.

Some projections have Goodman finishing as a top-five fantasy catcher, hitting roughly 24-28 home runs with 70+ RBIs. Concerns remain about his ability to maintain last season's average (.278), projecting him in the .250-.255 range.

He needs to reduce his strikeouts, having recorded 152 in 540 at-bats. Teammate Jordan Beck also struggles in this area, striking out 174 times, the 19th most in the league.

Can Goodman turn things around?

Here's why I'm not overreacting to his small spring sample size. He's maintained his exit velocity and power, even with only two home runs so far. He recorded a maximum exit velocity of 113.3 mph, ranking in the top three within Rockies camp.

He showed significant improvement last season after taking over the full-time starting catcher position. He made strides in blocking, receiving, and particularly in framing. His metrics placed him in the top half of the league by the end of the season.

While his numbers might dip slightly as teams and pitchers target him more, I believe Goodman will perform well after his slow spring start. A hot streak can quickly boost his average and turn things around for the 26-year-old.