Hot-hitting Blackmon concerned with Ws
Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is the hottest hitter in baseball with an MLB-leading batting average while riding a 14game hit streak — that he extended to 15 games on Tuesday night.
His reaction? Something like … Meh.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to give (the streak) much credit, to be honest,” Blackmon told reporters Tuesday on a video conference call. “I think it will be too easy to say that weird things happen. The COVID got us. You’re playing in a bubble with no fans. It counts, certainly. This is Major League Baseball on major league fields and it counts.
“But, for right now, I feel like it’s different.”
Blackmon, predictably, was more dialed into the Rockies’ team success with Colorado (11-5) leading the NL West entering Tuesday night’s Game 2 matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks (7-10). But even in strange baseball times, Blackmon’s otherworldly start to this shortened season deserves applause.
Blackmon’s .484 batting average, with 26% of the schedule complete, is the highest through 16 games since Barry Bonds in 2004 (.525). Blackmon credits his success to being what he calls “process-oriented” at the plate — analyzing each baseball as it comes with the mindset to “win every pitch.”
It’s working.
On Tuesday night against Arizona, Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 15 games on the first pitch he faced from right-hander Zac Gallen with a single on a line drive to right field.
“This is certainly kind of an extended stretch where I’m feeling pretty good,” Blackmon said pregame. “I do have to acknowledge that I’ve been pretty lucky. I hit a lot of ground balls where there was nobody playing. I’ve hit some floaters out over the infield and I’ve taken some fastballs down the middle.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m perfect, but I’ve had good results and have been able to limit my mistakes for quite a while.”
Should Blackmon’s torrid start continue, with only 44 games left, it opens the door to breaking a significant baseball barrier: batting .400 for the season. It hasn’t been done since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.
Once again, don’t expect Blackmon to get wrapped up in his own hype.
“I don’t really think that .400 is a realistic mark for today’s game,” Blackmon said. “The pitching is too good. The stuff is too good. There is more specialization. I don’t think it’s something that will happen. I think there’s maybe some scares, but I think .400 is just too far away from the average, right? I don’t think it’s something that will be done.
“I’m not expecting to hit .400 for a season.”
Longtime scout honored. Jerry Weinstein, a Rockies’ player development and scouting special assistant, was given the Wilson Lefty Gomez Award in recognition from the American Baseball Coaches Association as “an individual who has contributed significantly to the game of baseball locally, nationally and internationally,” according to a news release.
Weinstein has served a role in the Rockies’ organization since 2007, ranging from catching coach, offensive coordinator and manager of High-A Modesto.