The Rockies’ wait to see longtime top prospect Brendan Rodgers get everyday at-bats at the MLB level will last a bit longer, as manager Bud Black announced to reporters Friday that Rodgers will miss at least a month with a strained hamstring (Twitter link via Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post).
Rodgers, 24, has been considered one of baseball’s top all-around prospects since the Rox selected him out of high school with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft. As with most teenaged prospects, his ascent through the minor league ranks took some time, but he debuted in the Majors in May 2019 after utterly crushing Triple-A pitching that year (.350/.413/.622).
Adjusting to the big leagues was a struggle for Rodgers, who hit poorly for his first few weeks before being optioned back to Triple-A. He was quickly recalled when the Rox suffered an injury on the big league roster, but Rodgers unfortunately never got a real chance to right the ship and show off the talent that made him such a touted prospect. Just five days after rejoining the MLB roster, Rodgers himself went on the IL due to what was initially termed a right shoulder impingement. The injury proved to be far worse, however, as the Rockies announced three weeks later that he’d undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in that problematic shoulder.
Rodgers spent the early portion of last year’s shortened season finishing his rehab at the Rockies’ alternate training site. He was brought back to the big leagues in late August but only appeared in seven games before again going on the injured list due to lingering problems in that right shoulder. He didn’t return before season’s end.
Following the trade of Nolan Arenado this winter, Rodgers looked to have an avenue to everyday at-bats. Ryan McMahon and Josh Fuentes were expected to work primarily at the corners now, clearing a path for Rodgers to take everyday at-bats at second base. Looking beyond the 2021 season, he’d be the likely successor to Trevor Story in the seemingly inevitable event that he lands with another club (be it via free agency or even this summer via trade).
It’s a frustrating setback for the Rockies and their fans, although if there’s a silver lining, it’s that Rodgers’ shoulder seems to be fully healthy for the first time in two years. He was having a monster Spring Training through 10 games, hitting .348/.400/.652 with a pair of homers and a double through his first 25 trips to the plate. At some point early this season, he’ll likely be given an opportunity to seize an everyday job with at Coors Field, but today’s announcement means Rodgers will open the year on the 10-day IL. In the meantime, the Rox seem likely to fill out the starting infield with McMahon and the versatile Garrett Hampson.
I thought David Dahl was playing in Texas now?
Hey Rockies’ fans (if there are any), what do y’all still think of Rodgers? I know he’s been a longtime top-prospect, but have the expectations for him been dampened?
I still think the talent is there, and if he were part of a better-run organization, he’d already be a star. His development was stunted by injury and the team’s unwillingness to give him an honest look. They were too busy giving playing time to struggling veterans like Mark Reynolds, Ian Desmond, Matt Kemp, as well as creating mutually detrimental time splits with other young players (Hilliard, Hampson, Tapia) that ended up bouncing guys to different places on the field every other day and not giving Rodgers a place to play regularly. When he did find the occasional (short) opportunity to play, he struggled, and Bud Black quickly pulled the plug. Evidently, on the Bud Black/Jeff Bridich Rockies, if you you’re a young player and don’t succeed the moment you step onto the field, regardless of your pedigree, you get benched or sent down. 2021 Finally looked to be the year where Rodgers would get a fair shake, but it looks like it’ll be postponed a month or so. I still think he’ll be good. Not nearly enough to save this team, though.
That was a very good diagnosis – I’m impressed
I agree with Turkey’s take. I would add that if anything, the expectations are probably greater now with the Arenado trade and the pending free agency of Story.
Does this mean CJ Cron gets more playing time at first base? Ive got him in fantasy with Bobby Dalbec behind him and Brandon Lowe also able to play first. Should I trade Anthony Rizzo and have Cron as my #1 first baseman?
It was said the other day that Cron will be their first baseman (most likely). It was said by somebody in the Rox’ organization too, so I imagine that’ll be the case. It wouldn’t be a bad bet to make for fantasy.
I’d be a bit nervous having Cron as your 1B #1 unless it was a pretty deep league.
Bobby Dalbec is not someone to trust in any way. Expect Joey Gallo but with less power.
He crushed in the minors, in a short stay in the majors last year and in spring training this year. He’s no sure thing but your feelings about him seem extreme
Kid can’t get a break.
does this affect his clock
No, he was injured on the MLB roster which means he will be on the MLB IL and it will count towards his service time.
Is he on the IL or is he in the “minors” so he will not accrue service time? What are the rules on this?
He had not been optioned yet this spring and was on the MLB roster at the time of injury, so if he is placed on the IL it will count towards his service time.
It feels like Rodgers has been a top prospect for like 10 years. Anyways wish him a lot of luck hate to see guys get derailed by injuries like this
Have the Colorado Rockies replaced the Cleveland Browns as the worst run organization in pro sports?
Well since the Browns made the playoffs and seem to be building a good roster, I’d say they aren’t even the worst run franchise currently in their own sports….Texans, I’m looking at you.
I would say Detroit Lions and Arizona Coyotes are contenders for worst pro franchise too.
The Rockies have the worst farm system in baseball. If there was the high amount of talent in Rodgers we had hoped, they ruined it. Helton retired 8 years ago and they still don’t have a solid replacement at 1B. Since the passing of team President Kelli McGregor about 10 years ago this team has gone down the toilet. The Monforts don’t care though. They know people will pay $40 cover charge to come into Coors Field and party. Baseball is secondary to them.
And in it’s quarter century of existence the Rockies under Monfort don’t even have one division title….the only hope for the team is a new owner.
You would think they would give Welker the shot at 3B with Rodgers out and have McMahon start at 2B or maybe 2B and platoon with Cron. It isn’t like he has that much more to prove in AAA and all he does in the last couple of spring trainings is rake.