The Rockies centerfielder tops the Majors in several offensive categories for the month
Count Brenton Doyle as one Major League player who is going to be sad to see the month of July come to an end.
The Colorado Rockies centerfielder was known more for his glove work in the field during his rookie season a year ago. But during the month of July—and for the entire season for that matter—Doyle is enjoying a breakout campaign at the plate. Entering action of July 21, the 26-year-old was slashing .415/.492/1.019 for the month. He was leading the Majors this month in slugging percentage, OPS (1.511), total bases (54) and extra-base hits (14).
In addition, he ranked third in average and OBP and was tied for fourth in hits (22). Since June 22, Doyle and teammate Michael Toglia have 10 homers apiece, tied for tops in the Majors in that span. For the 2024 season, in 94 games, Doyle was hitting at a .279 clip with a .478 slugging percentage and .822 OPS.
In comparison, a year ago, the Rockies’ fourth-round choice in 2019 sported a .203. batting average, .343 slugging percentage and a .593 OPS in 126 games.
So, what has fueled the turnaround at the plate for Doyle?
“I think the biggest thing is really working hard on game planning for the pitchers that I face and taking a little bit more consideration of that,” said Doyle, who went 21-for-49 with five doubles, nine home runs, 17 RBI, eight walks and one stolen base in his 14 first games in July.
“Last year it was my first time facing a lot of these guys, so facing them multiple times now, I am able to game plan on them a little bit better and know what they have. It has been going well so far.”
The offensive numbers Doyle continue to post more than support that statement.
From July 1-10, he was the first player to amass at least 16 hits, 11 extra-base hits, six home runs, 12 RBI, seven walks and one stolen base in a nine-game span since Bryce Harper in 2015. In so doing, he became the 14th player in MLB history to do so.
Doyle’s 16 homers through July 19, including nine in July, have been a big part of Colorado’s recent power explosion.
The Rox blasted a Major League-best 42 round-trippers between June 28 and July 20 and had a stretch of scoring 24 of 25 runs, including a franchise-record 20 consecutive runs, via the long ball.
Even though he hadn’t experienced a hitting bonanza like this previously with Colorado, Doyle is enjoying the moment.
“Right now, it’s been pretty fun but definitely I have (had continued success at the plate) before,” he said. “I wouldn’t be at this position that I am now if I hadn’t. I am just trying to keep the momentum going.”
His prowess in the batter’s box has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“Doyle doing what he is doing right now (show that he) is one of the best players in baseball in my opinion,” fellow outfielder Jake Cave said after Doyle slugged a two-run homer to ignite a flurry of seven unanswered runs as the Rockies rallied to defeat the San Francisco Giants 7-3 on July 19.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
On defense, the native of Warrenton, Virginia, has committed just two errors in nearly 350 chances for a .993 fielding percentage this season. His average outfield throw strength of 98.0 mph ranks behind only teammate Nolan Jones’ 98.4 mph average as the fastest in the Majors this season.
Colorado manager Bud Black acknowledges Doyle’s contributions to the team this season.
“Doyle’s been pretty consistent pretty much all year,” Black said.
“I thought Brenton had a chance to make the (National League) All-Star team. But I think, in these situations where there’s a lot of great outfielders, you have to pay your dues a little bit like Mac (Ryan McMahon) has and then Mac made it. B.D. had a really good first half and a very good start to the second half. So good for him, good for us.”
Doyle knows, though, that he cannot rest on his recent laurels or worry about any changes opposing pitchers may make to stop him.
“I’m just going to keep doing what I have been doing,” he said. “I’m just going to keep my routine steady and keep my fields the way they are right now. If the pitchers want to adjust, I can’t really talk for them. But I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Remember: Doyle Rules!