Brenton Doyle has been one of many brightest spots amidst a horrible two-year run for the Rockies. The previous fourth-round decide has emerged as a top quality on a regular basis heart fielder. Doyle has received Gold Gloves in every of his first two MLB seasons. The protection was the one worth he supplied as a rookie, as he was arguably the league’s worst common hitter in 2023. He took an enormous step ahead in his sophomore season to interrupt out as a top quality all-around contributor.
Doyle hit .260/.317/.446 with 23 house runs throughout 603 plate appearances final season. That is primarily league common offense in keeping with park-adjusted metrics that account for Coors Discipline. That is a serious leap from his .203/.250/.343 displaying as a rookie. Doyle could be an All-Star caliber participant if he can merely keep league common manufacturing on the plate. He leads all outfielders in Statcast’s Outs Above Common since making his debut. Solely Daulton Varsho has extra Defensive Runs Saved. Doyle might be a prime three defensive outfielder within the sport. He went 30-35 on stolen base makes an attempt final 12 months.
Final season’s offensive strides got here with an actual change in course of. The correct-handed hitter had a markedly improved plate self-discipline profile. He reduce his strikeout fee by virtually 10 share factors. After fanning 35% of the time throughout his rookie season, he struck out at a 25.4% clip final 12 months. He chased fewer pitches off the plate and elevated his stroll fee by a pair factors. Amongst gamers with 400+ plate appearances in every season, solely Purple Sox’s catcher Connor Wong had an even bigger enchancment in his strikeout fee. Nobody took a extra vital step ahead than Doyle in making contact on a per-pitch foundation.
That presents an fascinating analysis. The bullish case is that it demonstrates Doyle’s capability to make offensive changes, maybe hinting at a good larger ceiling as he enters his third season towards massive league pitching. Alternatively, it is honest to surprise if final 12 months’s enchancment is completely sustainable. Gamers do not at all times progress linearly. Doyle’s numbers tailed off within the second half, particularly in September. He nonetheless made much more contact late final season than he had as a rookie, however his .234/.274/.407 line popping out of the All-Star Break is way under the .276/.343/.471 mark he carried into it.
Even amidst their rebuild, the Rockies have prioritized locking up gamers they think about key items. They’ve had blended outcomes on that entrance. The Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland extensions have not panned out. Ryan McMahon’s manufacturing has been up-and-down. Final spring’s $63MM funding in Ezequiel Tovar appears like one of the best of the bunch, because the 23-year-old shortstop had a robust second full season within the majors.
Is Doyle subsequent in line? Patrick Saunders of the Denver Submit wrote a pair weeks in the past that Colorado has had some inner conversations in regards to the risk. What sort of costs may the staff and Doyle’s camp on the Ballengee Group talk about?
Unlock Subscriber-Unique Articles Like This One With a Commerce Rumors Entrance Workplace Subscription
Entry weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
Be a part of unique weekly reside chats with Anthony.
Take away adverts and help our writers.
Entry GM-caliber instruments like our MLB Contract Tracker