At the age of 26, Brenton Doyle is entering his third full season as the center fielder of the Colorado Rockies. He was a stellar defender for Colorado in 2023, earning his first career Gold Glove, but he still had work to do on offense. In 2024, his offensive game exploded while he was still excellent defensively, earning his second straight Gold Glove. Doyle enters spring training as one of the Rockies’ best players and leaders alongside shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Shortly before the 2024 season, Tovar signed a seven-year contract extension worth $63.5 million. Heading into the 2025 season, Doyle is a strong candidate for a contract extension with the Rockies as they look to secure their future.
YOU DO NOT RUN ON BRENTON DOYLE pic.twitter.com/KNSDPX1AaD
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 7, 2024
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Brenton Doyle Primed for Contract Extension from Rockies
Doyle’s 2024 Season
Doyle was the perfect center fielder for the Rockies due to his elite speed and defense. However, he would have to emerge offensively to unlock his next level as a player. In 2024, Doyle did just that and instantly became a young star for the Rockies. He increased his WAR from 0.9 in 2023 to 4.0 in 2024. After hitting only .203/.250/.343 in 2023, he hit .260/.317/.446 in 2024. He dramatically upgraded his power and production, recording 72 RBI and 23 homers compared to 48 RBI and 10 home runs in 2023. Statcast painted a clear picture of Doyle’s drastically improved offensive numbers.
2023
- .258 xwOBA
- .344 xSLG
- 35% Hard Hit rate
- 19.8% Squared-Up
- 35% K rate
- 5.1% BB rate
2024
- .329 xwOBA
- .437 xSLG
- 41.4% Hard Hit Rate
- 24.3% Squared-Up
- 25.4% K rate
- 7.6% BB rate
Doyle saw significant offensive increases across the board. Hitting coach Hensley Meulens unlocked Doyle’s power potential, as the Rockies as a whole drastically increased their homer production. Doyle also saw a major improvement in his plate discipline. He cut his strikeout rate from 35% to 25.4%, while he modestly increased his walk rate. Doyle also took advantage of his elite speed on the bases. He ranks in the 94th percentile league-wide with a sprint speed reaching 29.3 MPH, per Statcast. He increased his stolen bags from 22 to 30, a full 20 steals ahead of any other Rockie. His 15 Fielding Run Value and 97.4 MPH arm strength, per Statcast, helped lead Doyle to another Gold Glove. On a team looking to hit more home runs and become a bigger threat on the bases, Doyle is leading the charge.
A Look Back at Rockies’ Recent Contract Extensions
In the past couple of seasons, the Rockies have gained a reputation for failing to retain their best talent. After a historic extension was given to star third baseman Nolan Arenado in 2019, he was traded two years later to the St. Louis Cardinals. Shortstop Trevor Story left for the Boston Red Sox the following free agency. The Rockies stars cleared out, leaving only center fielder Charlie Blackmon in Colorado. But the disastrous Arenado trade was executed by former GM Jeff Bridich and the Rockies wanted to begin a rebuild. Now, Doyle at just 26 years old is one of the clear stars to build around as the Rockies near the end of their current rebuild.
The Rockies have shown a willingness to extend players in the past. After back-to-back solid seasons, third baseman Ryan McMahon signed a six-year deal worth $70 million ahead of the 2022 season. Right-handed starter Antonio Senzatela signed a five-year deal worth $50.5 million ahead of the 2022 season. Blackmon signed a six-year deal worth $108 million ahead of the 2018 season. Based on the production he showed in 2024 and his vast potential, Doyle is as deserving of a contract extension as any of them.
Doyle is still in pre-arbitration and is providing immense value for the Rockies, as he is set to receive just $800K in 2025. The Rockies’ current payroll sits just north of $110 million, per Spotrac. Kris Bryant accounts for the most on the Rockies payroll by a significant margin, with $27 million. The Rockies were not big spenders in free agency as they wanted to trim payroll, releasing veterans Brendan Rodgers and Cal Quantrill. Based on their activity in the past when players were in the same position, the low spending this offseason could be a move to clear space for Doyle.
Finalizing Doyle’s Contract Extension is Essential for the Rockies
In the past, the Rockies have shown that they like to extend their best players shortly before the season starts. As spring training progresses, all eyes will be on the Rockies when it comes to Doyle. Ahead of another season in which he is set to be one of the best players on Colorado’s roster, his value will only continue to go up. Doyle emerged on the scene last year and is not a secret anymore. The Rockies would be wise to lock him up long-term while he is still in pre-arbitration.
Rockies fans need to see this deal get done to regain trust in the front office. It would be the second straight season that they took a serious step to secure their future. With Doyle and Tovar both signed for the foreseeable future, the Rockies would be in a good place. True five-tool players like Doyle do not come along very often, and when they do, it’s rarely in Colorado. The defense he provides in center field at Coors Field can not be overstated. He also is far and away the Rockies’ biggest threat on the bases.
There are a million good reasons why the Rockies should re-sign Doyle. Based on how they’ve treated star players in the past around the same point in their career, Doyle could be in store for one soon. He is one of the best players on the Rockies and is deserving of a big payday. As a team that rarely attracts major free agents, when the Rockies find homegrown talent like Doyle, they have to keep it. The Rockies have a chance to change their reputation as one of the worst front offices in MLB. Here’s hoping they don’t mess it up, and they announce a new era for the Rockies with a Doyle contract extension.
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