The Colorado Rockies pair of young stars, center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, provided bright moments in another 100+ loss season for the Rockies. The catchphrases “Doyle Rules” and “Tovi Time” gained popularity among fans with each passing game. Doyle and Tovar stood out, and their peers and the media took notice. In awards season, both players made their presence felt. Tovar became the youngest shortstop (24) in the history of the National League to win a Gold Glove. Doyle (26) won his second straight Gold Glove and was rewarded for his stellar play manning the vast outfield of Coors Field. Their 2024 performances gave Rockies fans plenty to be excited about moving forward.
Pair of Young Stars Should Have Rockies Fans Excited
Defensive Excellence
Those who followed the club all season knew how talented Tovar and Doyle were. However, the recognition of awards had to feel good on a team that was often overlooked by the national media. Doyle spoke highly of the Rockies defense after winning his Gold Glove:
“The defense on this team — winning or losing — is up there with the best in the league,” “We work really hard at it. We’ve got a lot of guys that take a lot of pride in it. It definitely shows.”
Doyle wasn’t only noticed by those who cover the NL. He was the first Rockies outfielder to win the Fielding Bible award for best overall center fielder. Tovar is the first Rockies shortstop to win a Gold Glove since franchise legend Troy Tulowitzki won back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2010-11. Both Tovar and Doyle were near the top of the NL in a litany of defensive categories.
Tovar
- 18 Total Zone Runs, 2nd in NL
- 4.25 Range Factor/Game as SS, 1st in NL
- 435 assists, 1st in NL
- 233 putouts, 2nd in NL
- 113 Double Plays Turned, 1st in NL
Doyle
- 17 Total Zone Runs, 3rd in NL
- 2.97 Range Factor/Game as CF, 1st in NL
- 426 putouts as OF, 1st in NL
- 97.4 arm strength per statcast, 99th percentile
- 16 outs above average per statcast, 98th percentile
The stats back up Doyle’s statement and the hardware the young stars have taken home this offseason. In a ballpark that fans often go to for slugfests, Doyle and Tovar have made it appointment viewing when the Rockies are on defense.
Absolutely insane game ending play from Brenton Doyle pic.twitter.com/sdInK72nRH
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) September 7, 2024
Significant Offensive Growth
Brenton Doyle
Both players were expected to be good defensively at the major league level. But going into 2024, if they showed offensive improvement, they would go from good players to stars. They improved significantly offensively from 2023 to 2024.
2023 statistics (Doyle) per Statcast
- .258 xwOBA, bottom one percent
- .200 xBA, bottom one percent
- 88.3 avg exit velo., 29th percentile
- 35% Hard Hit, 19th percentile
- 29.9% LA Sweet spot, 11th percentile
- 32.2% Chase Rate, 27th percentile
- -12 Batting Run Value, 10th percentile
2024 statistics (Doyle) per Statcast
- .329 xwOBA, 65th percentile
- .254 xBA, 60th percentile
- 89.2 avg exit velo., 52nd percentile
- 41.1% Hard Hit, 58th percentile
- 37.4% La Sweet spot, 81st percentile
- 30.0% Chase Rate, 30th percentile
- nine Batting Run Value, 68th percentile
Doyle achieved another level of his game in 2024. Already a great defender possessing next-level speed, his offensive emergence was invaluable for Colorado. After hitting .203/.250/.343 in 2023, Doyle improved his slash line to .260/.317/.446. In 126 games in 2023, Doyle hit ten home runs and 48 RBI. Doyle’s significant improvement in categories such as hard hit % and LA Sweet Spot % helped him to 23 home runs and 72 RBI in 2024. Doyle’s 15 base running run value ranks in the 99th percentile league-wide. The pressure his speed can put on opposing pitchers needs to be used often for the Rockies to succeed. With his offensive improvement adding to his overall game, Doyle improved his WAR from 0.9 to 4.0.
Ezequiel Tovar
2023 statistics (Tovar) per Statcast
- .291 xwOBA, 13th percentile
- .386 xSLG, 25th percentile
- 88.0 avg exit velo., 23rd percentile
- 36.2% Hard Hit, 21st percentile
- 36.4% La Sweet-Spot, 71st percentile
- 42% chase rate, bottom two percent
- -5 Batting Run Value, 26th percentile
2024 statistics (Tovar) per Statcast
- .289 xwOBA, 17th percentile
- .401 xSLG, 52nd percentile
- 88.8 avg exit velo., 44th percentile
- 39.8% Hard Hit, 46th percentile
- 38.5% LA Sweet Spot, 87th percentile
- 44.1% chase rate, bottom one percent
- 4 Batting Run Value, 53rd percentile
Tovar still ranked near the bottom of the league in chase rate but had a much better season offensively. Tovar improved his slash line from .253/.287/.408 in 2023 to .269/.295/.469 in 2024. His drastic improvement in slugging and finding the sweet spot resulted in a lot more production. In 153 games in 2023, Tovar hit 15 home runs, 37 doubles, and 73 RBI. In 157 games in 2024, Tovar hit 26 home runs and 78 RBI, leading the league in doubles and at-bats with 45 and 655, respectively.
Perhaps the best thing for Tovar was how he brought his production on the road, hitting 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 28 doubles in 80 road games. Tovar’s significant offensive improvement also led to a major increase in WAR from 2.5 in 2023 to 3.7 in 2024. In 2023-24, Tovar has been an iron man in the Rockies lineup, playing in at least 153 games both seasons. If Tovar can continue to improve his offense combined with his durability and defense, he will be a consistent all-star and MVP candidate.
Young Stars Outlook Moving Forward
Both Doyle and Tovar are homegrown young stars that are surging in Colorado. With the all-around stellar seasons in 2024, they are players that the Rockies can build around as they continue their rebuild. Doyle has become a legitimate five-tool player, and Tovar, in addition to his Gold Glove, finished 19th in NL MVP voting.
With a 19th-place finish in the 2024 NL MVP voting, Ezequiel Tovar becomes the second-youngest member of the #Rockies to appear on an MVP ballot.
Troy Tulowitzki, 22 years and 355 days old on the final day of the regular season, is the youngest in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/LetBVeZACd
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) November 22, 2024
A significant feat for the 24-year-old, who continues to impress. If both continue at their current pace, they’ll get more MVP votes, more hardware, and will be consistent all-stars. As the Rockies continue to develop quality young talent around them, there’s no reason Tovar and Doyle can’t be the ones to lead the Rockies back to the postseason. Tovar and Doyle served as bright spots in a tough rebuild, and they’re just getting started in Colorado.
Main Photo Credits: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
