Time is a funny thing.
It can seem like an entirely ambiguous, even made-up concept; a feeble attempt to describe elements of nature beyond our understanding. We somehow feel comfortable enough with our ability to understand time that we all operate on a system that needs to add an entire day to the calendar once every four years.
Time is a tricky thing.
And for Brendan Rodgers, it’s always just been a matter of time.
Since BSN Denver first got our eyes on Rodgers in his first professional season at Grand Junction, putting on clinics in batting practice, it has been clear that his ability to drive the baseball with a nearly perfect right-handed swing made his MLB arrival a question of when and not if.
But there is more to the game than that and there is no such thing as a sure thing in the game of baseball. And Rodgers would need to do one more thing in order to make that dream a reality. He would need to put in the time.
As a part of our exclusive interview with Colorado Rockies Senior Director Of Player Development, Zach Wilson, we asked about what Rodgers has done since we saw him last that we can’t read about in his ridiculous box scores or witness on highlight videos.
Naturally, we started with the defense, which was the biggest question mark for the infielder coming into the pros.
“He’s made really big progress, particularly at second base,” says Wilson. “There are things he’s done in big league spring training games at second base that this time last year he would not have been able to do. Some things around the bag, some plays to his left in particular where you gotta go into that hole maybe even into the outfield a bit on the forehand side, and he’s been able to make those plays better than he ever has. He has good footwork and good actions overall. He’s taken a stride there.”
Drafted as and typically playing shortstop, Rodgers has proven an ability there in addition to adding a couple of positions to his resume.
“We’re gonna start adding third base throughout this year,” Wilson added. “That will be a big part of the next step of his development. We will start rudimentary and move on from there, similar to what we’ve done with Trevor Story and what we did with him years ago adding positions so that when that bat is ready—as you’re starting to see it really come together—he’s ready to take on all kinds of major league roles.”
This has also paved a way for Ryan McMahon to make himself a factor with his natural position, third base, currently occupied by a decent player at the big league level. But not only that, he’s become a more valuable asset to his team that values positional versatility so much. It allows the manager flexibility to play the hot hand or matchups, or make key pinch-hitting decisions knowing you can move guys around the diamond.
Now, Rodgers adds his name to the list of guys focused on becoming excellent all-around ballplayers who can be plugged into whatever position best helps the team.
“He’s doing really well on both sides of the ball right now,” Wilson summarizes.
Rodgers played in 23 games at MLB spring training before being sent back to minor league camp. He slashed .286/.352/.490 with seven RBI and four walks in 49 at-bats. He smashed three home runs which is still tied for second on the team.
But, of course, this time of year isn’t just about the stats, though that’s impressive for any 21-year-old in his first taste of big league competition. After all, we’ve always known he could hit.
It has been the in-between moments and behind-the-scenes interactions that have the head of development beaming far more than his on-field production.
“I’m really proud of the way he showed up to spring to camp,” Wilson says. “Not just the way he has played, but the way he has walked around, the way he’s interacted with his teammates, the way he has fit in in the clubhouse…it’s been a real pleasure to watch all of that.”
And something tells me it won’t be the last time.
Ah yes, time. It is a funny thing. And for Brendan Rodgers, the time is… close.
