The Colorado Rockies have sunken to the bottom of the NL West division early on in the season now with a 27-51 record. Besides their win streak a few weeks ago, this Rockies team has edged themselves on the wrong side of the MLB history books. Eleven days ago, Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones returned from the IL. This is after he suffered from a lower back strain and right knee soreness. Before returning on June 14th, he has not played a game since April 28th. Since his return back to the Rockies lineup, Jones has been solid. The team has won just two games since the Rockies outfielder returned to the team. Yet, his performance at the plate has undoubtedly improved since his playing time in April.
Rockies Outfielder Has Been Solid Since Return
Jones appeared in nine games in June after returning from his injuries. In 25 at-bats, he has recorded seven hits, one being a home run with three runs batted in. He’s also been walked nine times these past nine games. His seven hits in 25 at-bats gives the Rockies outfielder a .280 batting average in June. Before all the injuries, Jones had 78 at-bats. He put up just 14 hits, a home run, and five runs batted in. He’s 14-for-78 at the plate in April, which gives him a .170 batting average. Overall, in 119 at-bats, he has 23 hits, two home runs, 10 runs batted in with 18 walks while slashing .193/.297/.303.
While it’s only a couple of games since Jones has returned to the lineup, if he can continue this solid play, he could help the Rockies finally move up in the division. Before the start of the regular season, he had the potential to lead Colorado in multiple statistical categories, including home runs and runs batted in. He certainly has been disappointing; however, there is plenty of time to make 2024 a successful campaign for Jones.
Can Jones Continue His Play?
It’s crucial to Colorado’s success for the Rockies outfielder to continue to find his strides at the plate. He must take the next steps and develop into a potential future all-star. This team has so many unanswered questions; it’s time Jones silences his critics and becomes one of them, not the top hitter for the Rockies. He’s been most successful against cutters, sliders, and sinkers this season. If the Rockies outfielder can improve his plate vision against pitches like fastballs, curveballs, and changeups, he may be near that caliber of an all-star. Jones has a strikeout percentage of nearly 37 percent against fastballs. That will certainly have to change in order to start seeing some more successful at-bats out of Jones.
This is only his third Major League season, so there shouldn’t be any panic about his play just yet. Nonetheless, his play will be crucial to the team’s confidence and success. He’s had seven hits in his last nine games, two multi-hit games, and is looking for more. With the team up against the Houston Astros, this two-game series will test Jones to see if he can continue to shine, especially against a pitching staff that has struggled on and off again this 2024 campaign.
Main Photo Credits: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
