Stellar defense and massive power defined Toglia’s incredible growth in 2024
You’re reading the 2024 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at the season had by every player to play for the Rockies in 2024. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the least amount of rWAR and end up with the player with the most.
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No. 4, Michael Toglia (2.2 rWAR)
During the 2023 edition of Ranking the Rockies, I took on the task of writing about Michael Toglia who ranked near the bottom of the list in terms of value at No. 56 with a -1.5 rWAR. The main takeaway was that despite his excellent production in the minors, strikeouts were a massive problem for the switch-hitter and his power was obsolete with the Rockies.
Oh, the difference a year can make.
2024 was essentially a breakout year for Toglia and a massive step forward in his progression as a big leaguer. However, it wasn’t without its obstacles, as the season was split up into a tale of two Toglias.
Entering the 2024 season, it was unclear exactly where Toglia would fit in on the roster. Long heralded as the new heir at first base, a position the Rockies have struggled to fill since Todd Helton retired in 2013, Bud Black and the Rockies management seemed settled on Kris Bryant serving as the primary first baseman while splitting time in right field to allow Elehuris Montero to play first base. Toglia also fit into the mix for first base and right field as the three players seemed to be on a rotation of sorts. Once Kris Bryant went down with an injury two weeks into the season, the task fell on Montero and Toglia to duke it out.
Toglia struggled offensively out of the gate. In his first 15 games of the season, he slashed .106/.143/.362 with 20 strikeouts, one walk in 49 plate appearances, and a 44.4% ground ball rate. He had just five hits, four of which were home runs, for a total of eight RBI. The promising signs of spring training didn’t follow Toglia into the season and he was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 24.
The demotion seemed to resonate with Toglia as he immediately went to work to improve his approach at the plate and showed the offensive promise that the Rockies have been waiting for. In 30 games with the Isotopes, Toglia made 135 plate appearances resulting in a slash line of .277/.363/.571 with 33 hits including four doubles, two triples and nine home runs. Additionally, he had 15 walks against 35 strikeouts and had a .934 OPS. His performance in the minors was a most curious case that I was never sure would be solved at the major league level.
The day after writing about Toglia’s case, the Rockies called him back up on June 6 after Bryant went on the IL again. Having played every day in Albuquerque, he was immediately thrust into the lineup for the Rockies in right field. Through his first 11 games back, it was clear Toglia was a different hitter than what they saw in April. He slashed .290/.349/.447 with 11 hits, including three extra-base hits, 13 strikeouts and four walks. His offensive contributions, along with his strong defensive play, edged him into the starting role at first base as Montero’s production continued to falter at the plate and on the field.
On June 18, Toglia started at first base and would continue to do so in just about every single game through the rest of the season, starting in 90 total games. The assurance of playing every day helped Toglia find a rhythm on the field that began to pay dividends at the plate.
Long praised for his power, Toglia ended up slugging 25 home runs, second-most on the team, and driving in 55 runs. In total, he had 87 hits, including 14 doubles and three doubles. He boasted a 50.2% hard-hit rate and a 36.1% flyball rate to go along with a .456 SLG.
Most peculiar was the fact that Toglia slugged 17 home runs on the road compared to just eight at Coors Field. History would have us believe the numbers should be switched, but when Toglia makes solid contact, it doesn’t matter where he’s playing because that ball will sail. His best display of home run power came in July when he blasted three against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
His power at the plate is a game changer for the Rockies they have sorely lacked the last few seasons and could be a huge boon going forward if he can continue to refine his overall production at the plate.
Toglia ended the season batting .218/.311/.456 with a 105 OPS+. His 32.1% strikeout rate is still too high on its own, but while strikeouts are an issue, they do come with the territory of a slugger like Toglia. What aided his success was his increased ability to draw walks as he had an 11.8% walk rate which is almost four ticks above the league average. The strikeouts went down ever so slightly, but the home runs and walk rate make him a much more palatable bat in the lineup if he can continue to improve.
He was also able to balance his switch-hitting splits better, specifically right-handed. Facing left-handed pitchers, Toglia batted .236/.329/.504 with nine home runs. Batting left-handed, he slashed .210/.302/.434 with 16 home runs. That improvement gives hope he can truly be a threat in 2025. Oh, and let’s not forget the big fella swiped 10 bags.
While his offense was a welcome improvement, his defense was key in rounding out the defense for the Rockies defense. Among all National League first basemen (min. 800 innings), Toglia finished with 10 DRS, second behind Matt Olson (13) and just ahead of 2024 Gold Glove winner Christian Walker (7). He was valued for -4 Outs Above Average and -3 Fielding Run Value, but it’s hard to deny that Toglia passes the eye test at his natural position with diving stops and scoops.
At 26 years old, Toglia made the most of his opportunities in 2024 and took possession of first base. His performance gave the Rockies confidence to move on from Montero and leave Bryant destined to be the DH. There is plenty of room for improvement, but as a three-true outcomes type of player, Toglia played his part and may have finally filled a void left by Hall of Famer Todd Helton.
It’s good to be proven wrong about a player.
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