Rockies’ Bouchard looks to provide steady production
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. >> Here’s an obscure, little-known fact that only a baseball fanatic can appreciate: In 2022, Rockies outfielder Sean Bouchard posted a .454 on-base percentage in 27 games, the fifth-highest by a major league rookie since 1901 (minimum 95 plate appearances).
So what? Here’s what: Bouchard’s solid at-bats, ability to get on base and occasional power make him the favorite to win the starting job in right field this season.
The Rockies desperately need steady production in their lineup. After all, their .249 average and .310 onbase percentage last year were the lowest in franchise history, while their 1,543 strikeouts were the most. A lot of Colorado’s young hitters — Brenton Doyle, Elehuris Montero and Michael Toglia, in particular — still have big holes in their offense. Bouchard does not appear to, although his 27.9% strikeout rate over 140 career plate appearances is still above the bigleague average (22.6%).
“Sean’s a disciplined hitter, that’s fair to say,” manager Bud Black said Monday. “That’s a big plus for him because he brings an offensive dynamic that only a couple of our guys have.”
Black was talking about veterans Charlie Blackmon (.355 career on-base percentage) and first baseman Kris Bryant (.371). Blackmon will be Colorado’s primary designated hitter and Bryant will be the starting first baseman.
“Getting on base is definitely something I take a lot of pride in, but I know I could be better at a lot of things,” said Bouchard, who slashed .276/.356/.492 over six seasons in the minors. “I grew up and have been raised in the game with the thought of, ‘Keep the lineup moving.’
“There are, obviously, times throughout the game when you can take your shot, but it’s a team sport. It’s not about me just going up there doing what I want to do. It depends on the situation and it depends on the scoreboard. It depends on a lot of things.”
Bouchard, 27, a ninthround pick out of UCLA in 2017, was projected to make the 26-man roster last spring but he ruptured his left biceps tendon during spring training and missed most of the season. That’s the primary reason the Rockies signed free agent Jurickson Profar to a oneyear, $7.75 million deal.
When Bouchard was finally activated in September, he slashed .316/.372/.684 in 21 games and slugged four homers in his final five games, continuing the steady production he’s shown in the minors and during his limited time in the majors. Naturally, he’s eager to show what he can do for a full big-league season.
“I’ve always gone into camp focusing on being the best I can be, so coming in healthy is huge for me,” Bouchard said.
Last spring, Bouchard knew he had a solid chance to make the team. That’s why the biceps injury was so tough to take.
“It was a weird time and it was emotional,” he said. “Because I was kind of in a similar spot last year as I am now; kind of showing some stuff and I had some excitement going for me. But sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it. You either do or you don’t. So I tried to be as positive as possible.”
He spent time studying his teammates, especially Blackmon, to see how they went about their business.
“I didn’t have the day-today pressure of playing last year, so I observed a lot and I think I learned a lot about how to be a professional,” Bouchard said. “I think those lessons will last for as long as my career lasts.”
The Rockies have a lot of outfield prospects in camp, so Bouchard knows that he’ll be pushed by players who could be in Den- ver later this season. The list: Hunter Goodman, the Rockies’ No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, who’s already made his big-league debut; Yan- quiel Fernandez, the No. 2 prospect who’s already on the 40-man roster; Jordan Beck (No. 4); Zac Veen (No. 5); Sterlin Thompson (No. 6); and Benny Montgomery (No. 8).
“You never know what’s going to happen, but the best player is going to play, it’s as simple as that,” Bouchard said. “But I think the competition is exciting, and it will make us a better team.”
The Rockies already have a Gold Glove center fielder in Doyle, and the athletic Nolan Jones is making strides in left. With Bouchard in right — getting spelled from time to time by Blackmon — the Rockies’ outfield looks solid defensively.
“We project Sean to be a solid-to-average big-league outfielder,” Black said. “The reads and jumps are fine. The arm strength is fine. We need him to be able to make the average major league play that an outfielder should make. We think he will.”