Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday, MLB announced. Arenado is the second consecutive Colorado player to win the award, joining Corey Dickerson, who earned the honor last Monday.
Arenado went 12-for-22 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs in five games against the Royals and Marlins last week at Coors Field. During the last home stand, the Gold Glove defender finished 19-for-38 with four walks, three doubles, a triple and three homers. That was good for a .500/.558/.868 line.
Improved offense has allowed Arenado to become one of the top overall third basemen in the league this season. The 23-year-old, second-year big leaguer is hitting .308/.349/.519 and already has more home runs and exactly as many walks in 396 plate appearances this year as he did in 514 trips to the batter's box in 2013.
He talked a little bit about his approach after the Rockies' loss to the Reds to begin his successful home stand. Arenado homered and hit a couple of balls to the warning track off of Cincinnati ace Johnny Cueto in that contest.
"You never see a guy like that well, so I was just looking in certain spots and was able to take advantage," Arenado said. "He's a guy who hits his spots and I don't want to give him two strikes. I looked in the whole way because in Cincinnati, he kept beating me in that spot."
Arenado's ability to adjust to a tough pitcher helped him that night, and it has clearly paid dividends for the budding star throughout the season. At this point, health appears to be the only real obstacle that could get in the way of Arenado reaching stardom, and that's more of a Rockies thing, not necessarily a personal thing.
Links
Rockies 3, Giants 2: Giant mess leads to another purple win in AT&T park - Purple Row
Within RIRF's recap of the game is yet another complaint from the Bay Area about the Rockies cheating. My question for them is this: how come it only works against your team and literally no one else? The Rockies are 4-0 in their last four games at AT&T Park and 3-27 in their last 30 games at all other places not named Denver or San Francisco.
Stupid Giants lose stupid game in stupid fashion - McCovey Chronicles
Grant Brisbee surmises about the Rockies winning a game in AT&T Park over the Giants in the exact same fashion that the Giants usually win games over the Rockies in AT&T Park. Or something like that.
Rockies prospects Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson going on DL is no big deal
Patrick Saunders clarified the reasoning for the DL stints currently being served by top pitching prospects Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson (first reported by us). Gray is "fatigued," while Anderson is simply being rested for the playoffs. Well, both pitchers are being rested, actually; Gray and Anderson will both be available when Tulsa begins postseason play in a week.
Rosario remains out; McKenry starts vs. Giants | Rockies.com: News
Alex Espinoza writes about Wilin Rosario's lengthy absence -- an absence that doesn't seem to be having a negative impact on the Rockies due to Michael McKenry's terrific play behind the plate. Also, Espinoza has more on Arenado winning the POW award.
Blogpile
Rockies Review - A Colorado Rockies Blog: Tyler Matzek pitches Colorado Rockies to victory against Giants in impressive road start
David Martin focuses on Tyler Matzek's impressive outing. We'll have more on Matzek soon -- hopefully today, but we'll see where the wind takes us.
An Improbable Weekend at Coors Field | Rockies Zingers Colorado Rockies Baseball
Eric Garcia McKinley writes about the events that transpired during a weekend at Coors Field that won't soon be forgotten.
Michael Cuddyer back on disabled list: are you mad now? - Rox Pile
Cuddyer's latest DL stint isn't attracting near the same level of vitriol as that of Troy Tulowitzki. Hayden Kane rightfully says it's absurd for fans to be angry at either player.