Glendale, Ariz. — Nolan Arenado is feeling good. His play on the field this spring training reflects that but also shows a glimpse of the heightened focus the Colorado Rockies star is bringing into a season he hopes can be his best yet.
“I don’t know what kind of start I’m going to have to the season but I like where I’m at, I’m seeing the ball well, I’m recognizing early, that’s what I want going into a season,” says Arenado. “ The worst thing going into a season is feeling like I don’t have my timing all the way down and I’m basically there.”
Before the beginning of last season, I predicted that Arenado would cement himself as the games top player at the hot corner and even garner some MVP attention. With the exception of Josh Donaldson also exploding in terms of production in Toronto, that prediction came true. Today, I submit that Arenado will have a better 2016 than 2015.
“I’m feeling confident,” Arenado said just a few minutes after having scorched a line-drive through a shift, seeming to solve the problem of geometry with overwhelming power.
“When I’m in that leverage count, I gotta let it fly,” he said.
The world knows Arenado’s name now because he has won every Gold Glove he has been eligible for. His defense at third is worth the price of admission at any Coors Field game and that will remain a major component of his success but oddly enough for a guy who was often a monster at the plate, he has plenty of room to improve with the bat.
By upping his walk rate or simply performing a bit more consistently, Arenado could become a superstar … if he isn’t one already.
Arenado’s spring statistics are impressive, but the more important thing at this point is how good – and how confident – he feels. And when you show up feeling and looking this good from the get-go, that sets quite the example.
His pinpoint focus coming into 2016 reveals a player who understands his place as a leader but more importantly a player not content to be “very good.” Arenado strives to be great and he knows that starts by putting in the work in March knowing that one day, some way, he will be great in October.
