Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers may finally be realizing his potential – The Denver Post

Brendan Rodgers was hailed as the future of the Colorado Rockies not too long ago.

After injuries robbed him of most of the past two seasons, it was seen as a big step just for the infielder to break his home run drought earlier this month. Turns out, that was just the start.

Rodgers entered Friday’s game against Milwaukee hitting .290 for the month — by far the highest of his career for any month — and looking very much like the everyday player the club forecasted when he was chosen third overall in the 2015 draft.

Rodgers, 24, who sustained a right hamstring strain in spring training that delayed his season debut until May 21, played his 25th game of the season Friday. That’s two more than his previous career-high a year ago.

“The at-bats are much more under control and I think we’re seeing the bat speed that everybody has seen from time to time,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Rodgers prior to the game.

Rodgers went 3-of-7 with a home run, triple and two RBIs in Colorado’s two-game series at Seattle.

“We’ve seen, especially in Seattle, a number of good swings,” Black said. “A home run, the 3-0 swing that he flew out to deep left. The ball to right center. We’re seeing the strength and quickness of the swing and the compactness of the swing as well. And, the chase rate is in a pretty good spot.

“There were early looks of Brendan matching up the strike zone, especially on the breaking ball down and away from him, that’s lessened. So I think the overall at-bat quality (has improved), his patience much better, selectivity, and he looks very comfortable.”

Rodgers had right shoulder injuries and a left hamstring strain during his brief stints with the Rockies the past two years, hitting .196 in 32 games. He failed to build confidence because he didn’t get the opportunity to play.

Until now — following a month-worth of growing pains.

“I definitely wanted to get back to how I was feeling at spring training, but definitely the eight or nine weeks I had doing some rehab stuff, definitely kind of set that back a little,” he said. “I obviously wanted to come off the DL just (perfect), like everyone does, but it doesn’t always work out like that. You gotta get the timing and little things like that back. It took a couple weeks, but I’m glad to see where I’m at right now, for sure.”

In eight games in May, Rodgers hit just .192 (5-for-25), with two RBI. He entered Friday with his first four career home runs in June, along with 14 RBIs in 20 games. His slugging percentage went from .192 to .565 in the two months.

“You just to keep grinding, keep going, and stay within yourself,” he said.

Footnote. The Rockies on Friday optioned infielder Connor Joe to Triple-A Albuquerque to make way for right-hander Jon Gray’s return from the 10-day injured list.

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