Nolan Arenado has quietly improved in 2016

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With all of the media attention surrounding Kris Bryant and the Chicago Cubs, and rightfully so, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has seemingly flown under the radar, yet again. The three-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time All-Star is known for his incredible range and glove at the hot corner, however, his approach at the plate continues to steadily improve, leading to eye-popping numbers.

During the 2015 campaign, Arenado broke out on the national stage slashing at a line of .287/.323/.575 with 43 doubles, 42 home runs, and 130 RBI. Those type of numbers put him in consideration for National League Most Valuable Player. However, you know how the story goes, if you’re a great player on a terrible team, you’re not going to get as much buzz. Oh, and Coors.

Arenado finished eighth in the NL MVP voting.

“It feels like the MVP every year is a [player] on [a]  winning team,” Arenado said, “You gotta win ball games to get that trophy unless you have a spectacular year like Bryce Harper had last year where it was just a unique year.”

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals went on to win NL MVP, slashing at a line of .330/.460/.649 with 38 doubles, 42 home runs, and 99 RBI. Not to mention, he played for a playoff team. His on-base and slugging percentage were far better, reaching his mark in 95 fewer at-bats than Arenado. Harper walked far more than Arenado, 124 to 34 respectively.

If anything, 2015 served as a measuring stick for Colorado’s rising star. In order to be a more well-rounded player, Arenado’s approach at the plate had to improve.

Entering Thursday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado has ten games remaining in their 2016 campaign. That can only mean one thing — Arenado has a chance to surpass last season’s statistics. Arenado enters tonight hitting at a line of .294/.573/.573 with 33 doubles, 39 home runs, and 128 RBI.

“The home runs would be great to eclipse, but that’s hard to do” Arenado said after Wednesday’s 11-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, “I’m not too worried about the home runs but the RBI’s is something I really want to beat. Obviously I know I’m pretty close but you know, either way, whatever I do for the rest of the year I’ll be happy with it.”

Does that slash line look familiar to you? Arenado’s line is nearly identical to his 2015 season, however, one column really sticks out — on-base percentage. In 2015, Arenado walked just a grand total of 33 times; that’s pretty crazy to think about considering he hit .287 the whole season. However, in 2016, his walk total has nearly doubled, sitting at 64 walks entering play Thursday night. His ability to lay off pitches that are outside of the zone speak volumes for how well Arenado prepared not only prior to the season, but during. In all other ways he has been the same player, he’s just made 30 fewer outs and replaced them with walks.

“I’m just happy I’m staying consistent,” Arenado said, “You know, my thing is that after last year, a lot of people were questioning if I could do it again. I’m happy I’m able to put those questions to rest and I’m able to have another good year. I’m just focused on helping the team win and good things are happening.”

Oh, and he has a pretty good lineup in front of him. Having three All-Star level players such as Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, and Carlos Gonzalez hitting in front of you will sure make a difference, and it’s showing.

“I gotta get Blackmon, DJ, and CarGo a lot of props for my runs,” Arenado said, “Those guys are just getting on-base for me at a really high rate and I’m really thankful to have those guys on my team. Like I said, this team has been setting me up for success.”

It is an exciting time to be a Rockies’ fan. Not only do they have a huge wave of rookies coming up and producing, but their 25-year-old stalwart veteran, Nolan Arenado, continues to produce at a high rate, getting better year after year.