The 2024 regular season has not been kind to the Colorado Rockies thus far. After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Rockies are tied with the Miami Marlins for the worst record in the National League at 4-15. While Colorado’s starters have had some enormous struggles to start the season, the offense has been just as bad. Only a few days ago with a thin bench, the Rockies used starting pitcher Kyle Freeland as a pinch-runner. There’s been some good play by a few veterans on the team, but Colorado’s young core has struck out a ton. In fact, seven Rockies in the starting lineup strike out more than the league-average strikeout rate of 22.6 percent. If these players can’t get their act together at the plate, the Rockies have the opportunity to hit a new low.
Seven Rockies With a Higher Than Average Strikeout Rate in 2024
Nolan Jones
Third baseman Nolan Jones was projected to have a promising 2024 regular season. However, that has not been the case at all yet. The 26-year-old third baseman has the highest strikeout rate for the Rockies at 38.5 percent. This ranks among the bottom three percent of the league. Through 19 games played and 70 at-bats, Jones has struck out 30 times. He almost has triple the amount of strikeouts that he does hits. While Colorado has played some tough opponents these first 19 games of the season, these numbers are inexcusable. Jones must be more proactive when he’s at the plate. If he cannot pick up his offensive game, this will be a long treacherous season for the Rockies third baseman.
Michael Toglia
Rockies right fielder Michael Toglia has had some success at the plate this season. He has four home runs and eight runs batted in through 13 games. Despite this, through 41 at-bats Toglia has recorded just five hits while striking out 17 times. After last night’s loss, the 25-year-old’s batting average is at a measly .122. Just like Nolan Jones, Colorado’s right fielder has a strikeout rate of 38.5 percent. Four of his five hits this season may be home runs, but if he can’t get runs across in big-game opportunities, the Rockies will heavily struggle now through September.
#Rockies Michael Toglia is really struggling. He whiffs in the 2nd, and his K rate is now 39%. He’s hitting .128.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) April 17, 2024
Kris Bryant
2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant was supposed to have a comeback season in 2024. He was determined to turn his game around and try to come back to his All-Star or even MVP ways. This season hasn’t been swell for Bryant as through 47 at-bats, he has just seven hits with 17 strikeouts. His near-33 percent strikeout rate is not where the former MVP wants to be in terms of his production at the plate. With just one home run and a .149 batting average, the Rockies may have made a major mistake back in 2022 signing Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million deal.
Brenton Doyle
Colorado’s center fielder Brenton Doyle has found more success at the plate than the previous two Rockies mentioned. Through 70 at-bats, Doyle has put up 20 hits along with 22 strikeouts and has a batting average of .286. Even with some solid hitting at times, the 26-year-old center fielder has a strikeout rate of nearly 32 percent. The Rockies need Doyle’s sophomore season to be even more productive than his solid rookie campaign. This team needs someone to make an impact, and with a .324 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .486, the outfielder should hopefully turn things around sooner rather than later.
Ezequiel Tovar
After a successful rookie season, the Rockies were expecting big things from shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, so much so that they agreed to a contract extension with him for seven years. Although Tovar has 22 hits in 75 at-bats, he has struck out 25 times. The promising Rockies shortstop has the ability to record a ton of base hits, but if he’s striking out in 32 percent of his at-bats, that won’t help his team win games, especially in late-game situations. Colorado needs Tovar’s abilities at the plate throughout the regular season, and with a .306 batting average, he should be able to put up another successful season.
Brendan Rodgers
Second baseman Brendan Rodgers is another Rockies hitter who’s been struggling at the plate this season. In 57 at-bats, Rodgers has recorded 12 hits, no home runs, three runs batted in, and 14 strikeouts with a .211 batting average. The 27-year-old second baseman has a strikeout rate of nearly 27 percent. As a six-year veteran of this team, Rodgers must be productive at the plate, and teach the younger guys how to succeed against some of the toughest major league pitchers.
Ryan McMahon
Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon is arguably having the most successful season for Colorado early in 2024. In 18 games played, and through 67 at-bats, McMahon has put up 24 hits, two home runs, 11 runs batted in, with 21 strikeouts. He ranks fourth in the NL with a .361 batting average. The 29-year-old third baseman is just above the MLB’s average strikeout rate, striking out 23 percent of the time. McMahon will look to continue his success at the plate. With his great play on display, hopefully, that changes the way some of his teammates act when they’re up to bat.
Photo Credit: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
