Tapia’s confidence soaring in breakout season
Raimel Tapia made a prediction so bold that it was difficult to believe.
The Rockies’ 26- year- old outfielder, in a July video interview translated from Spanish, informed reporters of his personal goal in a shortened 60- game MLB season: “To win the MVP,” he said.
Now, two months later, it’s clear Tapia won’t take home the MVP award. No shock there.
But he didn’t falter from skyhigh expectations either. In one of the few brights for the Rockies in this truncated season, Tapia is trending toward a career- best batting average (. 304) and on- base percentage (. 368), while also having carved out a role as
Colorado’s leadoff hitter.
“The work that I put in overall is what I have to attest for a good season,” Tapia said. “My teammates helping me out and giving me advice. It’s given me a lot of confidence.”
His MVP dreams are on hold for another year, but ask teammates, and there’s nothing phony about Tapia’s confidence.
“I really believe he thinks he’s the best hitter in the league,” Rockies utilityman Garrett Hampson said. “That’s just the way Tap is and that’s what works for him. He’s got that quiet swagger.”
Tapia’s play in the major leagues had not always reflected that bravado, however.
He spent the majority of three seasons between 2016-’ 18 bouncing between the minors and majors unable to solidify a place in Colorado’s lineup. Coaches had always described Tapia as a “natural hitter” whose work at the plate in the farm system didn’t consistently translate to the Rockies. He also had occasional mental lapses in the field.
Frustrated with his hitting, Tapia would try new swings.
“A lot of times, players come up
to the big leagues and feel as though they have to do something different, whether it’s a bigger swing or harder swing,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “I think Tapia at times in his first couple of years here, his swing got too big. … He didn’t really do that in the minor leagues. He’s got to go back to what he does best.”
That meant simplifying Tapia’s approach at the plate. He eliminated what Black called a “big leg kick” and modified his left- handed swing with a “shorter stroke.”
“That wasn’t very hard for me to do,” Tapia said. “My coaches gave me suggestions of things to change. I didn’t want to go into with the mentality of, ‘ No, I don’t want to try that.’ I trust them. I have confidence in our whole coaching staff. … I think you can see it’s had good results.” The work certainly paid off.
Tapia recorded the longest on- base streak of his career — 19 games ( Aug. 16Sept. 6) — including a nine- game hitting streak during that span. His strikeout rate is down from a year ago and the fielding mistakes that often led to a demotion have dissipated.
“He’s adjusted to major- league pitching and he’s doing the things he needs to do offensively,” Black said. “He’s calmed down his swing — it shows up every now and then — but for the most part the swing is where it needs to be as far as the effort level. He’s taking balls and swinging at strikes more often than not. He’s not expanding the zone.
“Defensively, it’s always been an area of improvement over time with Tapia, especially in this park, where it plays big. We’re continually working on his reads and breaks.”
Tapia remains optimistic the Rockies can make the playoffs, though the odds have grown long with a week to go. It’s that optimism that can be infectious.
“I’m ready to better myself in every area,” Tapia said. “I want to be better at the plate. I want to be better running the bases and stealing. I’m working on every little area and not just one specific thing. … Overall, we have really good confidence in each other and it’s a really close clubhouse. We all know that we can do it.”