The Decline Of the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon
The left-handed Colorado Rockies outfielder nicknamed “Chuck Nazty” is as notable for his famous beard as he is for his hitting. Unlike Rockies’ mascot Dinger, Charlie Blackmon could actually pass for a gold prospector. Blackmon entered his eleventh season in Major League Baseball in 2021. He is a four-time All Star, two-time Silver Slugger and was the 2017 batting champion, hitting .331 for the season, while setting an MLB record for driving in 103 runs from the leadoff position.
Things were going well for the Rockies and Blackmon at the time. He just kept getting better. Charlie Blackmon remains a fan favorite in Denver due to his consistency, character and loyalty to the Rockies, the city of Denver and the game of baseball. As Rockies manager Bud Black has said, “Nobody’s more prepared and ready to play baseball than Charlie Blackmon”. Charlie Blackmon has earned the love of baseball fans everywhere due to his love of the game and eccentric appearance.
Why has Charlie Blackmon Been So Essential to The Rockies?
When Blackmon is on a streak, it’s no secret that the Rockies follow his leadership. As one of the greatest leadoff hitters in MLB history, Blackmon sets the tone for the Rockies offense. If you’re a diehard Rockies fan, or if you enjoy the thrill of betting on a major league baseball team you can check out sites like gamblecolorado.com where if Blackmon is hot, the Rockies are always a contender you can count on.
Blackmon has put up an impressive lifetime career batting average of .301, a testament to his stability over the past decade. However, 2021 has been a disappointing season for both Blackmon and the Rockies. The man who ranks near the top of every lifetime batting category for the Rockies has been on an extended slump since the second half of the 2020 season. After sixty-five at bats in the 2021 season, Blackmon was hitting a mere .164, a concerning statistic considering his characteristic dependability at the plate. Although he’s improved since this uncharacteristic start, 2021 will most likely be the most disappointing season of Blackmon’s career at the plate.
What has Caused the Extended Slump this Year?
When there are rumors in Denver about a Charlie Blackmon trade, you know there is something off. True to his consistent form, Blackmon has changed very little in his playing style. When questioned about his hitting troubles early on, Blackmon answered with his usual manner of common sense and dependability, noting that nothing has changed and it’s no cause for alarm. He has not dramatically reshaped his play. Chuck Nazty is now an MLB veteran and teammates; coaches and fans trust his judgement. Looking over Blackmon’s advanced statistics for the year, there is a strong indication that aspects such as batting average and on base percentage are simply anomalies and a result of bad luck at the plate. His .295 BABIP would be the lowest for a full season in his career, while his expected batting average is in the top 6% of the league and his xwOBA is 25 points higher than his wOBA.
What is in Store for Blackmon and the Rockies?
While still considered one of the greatest and most reliable leadoff hitters in the game, Blackmon has been moved down in the lineup as an experiment to see how well he does as a power hitter. Batting in the “cleanup” slot of fourth, the Rockies saw success in this rearrangement, and we may see more of this restructuring of the lineup in the future. With the Rockies out of playoff contention for 2021, Bud Black has an opportunity to see how Blackmon may best be used in the Rockies offense in 2022. Whatever role we see for Blackmon in Denver, there is no doubt that he will remain a fan favorite and fans in Denver will remain as loyal and Blackmon has been consistent.
