Brenton Doyle’s Excellent 2024

Let me begin with an apology for missing last week’s newsletter. The last two weeks have involved a great deal of travel, and I simply ran out of time to put something together. (Plus, the All-Star Break didn’t actually provide much writing fodder.) But now things are back on track (albeit a day late), so let’s get to it.

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Last year, we knew Brenton Doyle’s defense was elite — that he won a Gold Glove as a rookie underscores his skill as did his impressive defensive metrics. When Ryan Spilborghs and Cory Sullivan are referring to Doyle as the best center fielder the Rockies have seen, that’s not small praise.

However, his offense was not good. (A 43 wRC+?)

But Doyle need that had to change, and got to work. It’s paying off in 2024.

Consider the comparisons.

Last year, Doyle finished the season with a slashline of .203/.250/.343, 10 home runs, and 22 stolen bases. This season, he’s slashing .279/.343/.479. Take a moment to consider the difference. His batting average is up significantly; his OBP is up almost 100 points; and his SLG has improved by more than 100 points. In other words, he’s taking more walks (and occasionally being awarded an IBB) and getting more extra-base hits.

Now, consider this. He’s hit 17 home runs and is on track to easy double his home-run total from last season. As for stolen bases, Doyle already has 20. A 30-30 season is not out of the question. In addition, he’s hitting lefties (118 wRC+) and righties (113 wRC+) almost equally well.

There’s a reason he was the NL Player of the Week earlier this month and is a serious contender for the NL’s July Player of the Month. His wRC+ for this month is an eye-popping 248.

He is significantly better at Coors (143 wRC+) than away (86 wRC+), but that’s not uncommon for Rockies hitters. (The Coors Effect is real!)

In addition, Doyle has earned 3.2 fWAR, which ties him for 19th in all of MLB.

Defensively, his game is still strong. He’s logged 842.0 innings in center, which leads all MLB center fielders. (Buddy, we’re begging you to give him a few days off!) He’s also only tallied two errors. Doyle leads all CF in UZR by a lot — 7.1 while Michael Saini is second with 5.7. He’s fourth in Outs Above Average (9) and second in FRV (11).

For some reason DRS still doesn’t like Doyle — only three — while Jacob Young leads MLB with nine.

And his arm is still elite.

Doyle’s defensive production has sagged a bit this season, but his offensive gains make the tradeoffs worth it.

In 2024, Doyle has shown what he can do, and waIrving to see what’s next is something for Rockies fans to look forward to.

What I’m Reading

• Renee Dechert’s “A Pitcher List Conversation with Cal Quantrill” (Pitcher List) — This season, I’ve done a number of this conversations, mostly with players who are visiting Coors Field. However, I wanted to talk with Quantrill about his new splitter, and he did not disappoint. If the Rockies trade him — and I think they will — he will be missed in the clubhouse.

• Joelle Milholm’s “2024 Looks a Lot Like 2023, But Here Are 5 Reasons to Still Watch the Rockies” (Purple Row) — There are reasons for hope, and Milholm outlines a few of them.

• Patrick Lyons’ “Trevor Story Returns to Colorado as Red Sox Comeback Looms” (Just Baseball) — It was Story’s first return to Coors Field since becoming a free agent, and Lyons has the details.

Closing Thoughts

And that’ll do it for this week.

Now we all spend the next four days watching the trade deadline news. My predictions: The Rockies will move Cal Quantrill, Jalen Beeks, Jacob Stallings, and Brendan Rodgers — and maybe a few outfielders to provide bench support for a contending team.

We’ll know soon enough.

Thanks for reading —

Renee

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Rockies Pitch is a newsletter that focuses on Colorado Rockies baseball and tries to tell the stories no one else is.