Searching for his groove
Blackmon suffers hangover from batting title
Charlie Blackmon turned in a historic 2017 campaign. He won the National League batting title with a .331 average, flashed dynamic power and set the all-time major-league record for RBIS by a leadoff hitter.
For his efforts, the bearded center fielder was awarded with a six-year, $108 million contract that kept him in Colorado for the long haul. But he has also been faced with a renewed challenge in the box, as opposing pitchers have clearly made it their mission to limit damage by the 32-year-old.
And with that challenge has come a much slower offensive pace for Blackmon, hitting .280 overall. Heading into the weekend series at Seattle, his skid had intensified lately with a .216 average and just two homers and five RBIS since June 20.
“This guy’s the National League batting champ, he started the all-star game, hit 37 home runs, knocked in over 100 runs from the leadoff position — he’s going to be pitched tough the next year, for sure,” manager Bud Black said. “I think Charlie has, at times, come out of his game a little bit.”
But while the statistical output hasn’t matched 2017, the 2018 version of Blackmon remains the same in terms of in his regimented approach to training and mental preparation.
“He hasn’t changed because of the contract,” Nolan Arenado said. “Here, he’s the same guy working hard, trying to find a way
every day. What he did last year was ridiculous — he was setting records like crazy, and I wouldn’t put it past Charlie that he can do it again. But it’s not an easy thing to accomplish.”
Blackmon, like Arenado, is experiencing that difficultly firsthand as pitchers attempt to work around him. The lefty is swinging at slightly more pitches outside the strike zone this year (31.7 percent) than last, and understands improved plate discipline — and taking his walks when they come in the two-spot, where he’s hit the majority of this season — is critical to turning in a second half similar to last summer.
“I always want to do better than the year before, and I still want to do that,” Blackmon said. “That’s where I’ve been for the past few years.”
He said his “swing feels great” despite the lower numbers, and his performance through July so far (.385 average in four games with a homer) might indicate a turnaround is imminent.
“I’m been mostly trying to simplify things — less movement is always better with the hands, I don’t need to be having a super leg kick, and I don’t need to be trying to swing hard,” Blackmon said. “It’s just basically about seeing the ball really good.”
Still, a deeper dive into the splits underscores his struggles. In 2017, Blackmon hit .286 when behind in the count, .385 when ahead in the count and .383 with runners in scoring position. Those 2018 numbers are down considerably at .254/.303/.353.
But even those comparisons aren’t causing alarm for Blackmon — “I don’t immediately resort to changing my swing when things don’t go well,” he said — as he continues to work with Rockies hitting coaches Duane Espy and Jeff Salazar to return to a consistent groove.
“A lot of times, you’ve got to keep fighting through it, and that’s what’s going on with him right now,” Black said. “Charlie’s a guy who continues to work on subtleties that you can’t pick up from the stands with his step-up and his approach.”
And, for the former washed-out southpaw who re-invented himself as a heady hitter first in junior college and then at Georgia Tech, Blackmon’s greatest advantage is likely his own feel for the game.
“Charlie himself is maybe his best coach,” Black said.
Meanwhile, Blackmon’s main focus remains on continuing Colorado’s recent momentum and quest for a first divisional title.
“The big thing I’m doing is focusing on winning the game,” Blackmon said. “What that means is being in tune with that your teammates are doing, situational at-bats — basically just setting the goal on winning the game, not worrying about bad at-bats you had earlier or other personal stuff.”
Kyle Newman: 303-954-1773 knewman@denverpost.com or @Kylenewmandp