Brendan Rodgers Continues Productive Spring
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Mar. 12) — Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers has batted well so far in the 2024 Cactus League season, batting .385 (10-for-26) with two doubles. Additionally, he has hit safely in eight of the ten games in which he’s played.
The productive spring has been a welcome event for Rodgers. “I’ve had some hiccups in the past couple spring trainings, especially last year, so getting these early at-bats now is huge,” Rodgers said. “Just building the confidence, seeing the velo (velocity), seeing the spin, and really trying to dial it in and be ready for that first game.”
The hiccup Rodgers referred to from last season was the dislocated left shoulder he suffered after only playing in two games. It sidelined him for months, keeping him from playing in a major league game until July 31.
Rodgers attributes his current hitting success to his work in the cage. “Your work in the cage really goes a long way,” he said. “Sometimes when you try to hit BP on the field, you try to be a little bit too big and try to do too much. I’ve been mixing up days I hit on the field and stay in the cage. I feel like my work in the cage is a lot more focused. I’m really working on trying to hit line drives all over the cage.”
The Defense of Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers won the NL Gold Glove for second basemen in 2022, so both he and the Rockies obviously want to see similar defensive play in 2024. When asked if he feels his defense is at the same level it’s been, he said yes. However, he added, “Haven’t really been tested too much. But we’re taking ground balls before the game. I have (coach Warren Schaeffer) and the guys work me left and right to try to expand the range. But I feel good on defense. Arm feels good. Body feels good. That’s really my main focus right now.”
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Main Photo Credits:
February 24, 2024 – The Colorado Rockies take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a Cactus League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rachel O’Driscoll, courtesy of Colorado Rockies)
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