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DENVER — On a day when shortstop Trevor Story spent most of his time answering questions from fans (and traveling) he took some time to talk to the press about his offseason and mentality heading into spring training.
“I feel good. I’m excited,” he says. “It’s good to get all the thumb therapy out of the way and to be back to hitting and fielding every day. I’m full go now. It’s been that way for almost two months. It’s been pretty much a normal offseason since then.”
He says he anticipates no rust due to injury, in fact pointing out he’s had plenty of company down at the Rockies offseason facility shaking that off well before even the games-that-don’t-count start.
“I spent my offseason down in Scottsdale. A lot of guys are down there,” he says. Later Story guessed at 40 players currently, Bud Black thought the number closer to 60, claiming that’s not necessarily typical and is “a great sign.”
One of the many benefits of a full pre-pre-season camp is that Story is already beginning to gain familiarity with his new — and hotly debated — first baseman, Ian Desmond.
“He came down for a couple days and we got out on the field. [We had] a lot of dialogue about what I like and what he likes and how to get familiar with each other. He looks good over there. He’s a heck of an athlete, I know that.” This statement echoed one from manager Bud Black on a recent morning radio segment with 850 KOA.
Story thinks this addition means the Rockies come into 2017 with an infield to be reckoned with. “It’s incredible,” he says. “I think Nolan’s the best player in the game. DJ is unbelievable; a batting champion and Gold Glover as well. And Ian. He’s been an All-Star and he looks good over there at first base. I think he’s gonna help us out. I’m excited to see what we have this year, and yeah, that infield … I think it’s one of the best in the game.”
The Rockies rookie sensation was having a — sorry — Storybook season right up until his injury which cost him the rest of the season and likely some Rookie of the Year votes. For a guy who has been underrated at times in his career, this only adds fuel to the fire.
“I think I’ve always had a little chip on my shoulder,” he says. “It was tough because we were playing so well as a team. Pitching was clicking, offense was clicking, and we were on a little win streak, too. We felt we could make our move right there. And that was the toughest part about it for me; I couldn’t be out there to help my team for the rest of the season. But it just gives me incentive for this next year.”
There will be those watching to see if Trevor Story experiences the dreaded sophomore slump and there will be those watching to see if Ian Desmond is as out of place at first as seems to be the current consensus. There will be those watching and thinking “how will the Rockies screw it up this year?” But after this unusual offseason, you better believe they will be watching.
