With every lofty swing and trot around the bases, Trevor Story is defining a new normal — not just for Rockies rookies, but for power-hitting shortstops.
Sunday, Story hit his seventh home run in six games, a 425-foot blast to the left-center field bleachers at Coors Field. He has hit a total of 2,902 feet of home runs in the Rockies’ 3-3 start. He is the first player in major-league history, rookie or otherwise, with seven homers in a season’s first six games.
“If that’s normal, that would be pretty nice,” Colorado manager Walt Weiss said.
Shortstop traditionally is a defense-first position. Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies’ longtime star at the spot before being traded to the Blue Jays last summer, is the rare shortstop who has an elite bat. And rookies should struggle when they arrive in the big leagues.
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Story is rejecting both scripts. In the process, his power surge is tearing up the Rockies’ best-laid plans.
Take, for example, his spot in the batting order. Weiss hits him second in the lineup, ahead of outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, whose job is to drive in runs. Hitting in the middle of the lineup, Gonzalez usually comes to bat with runners on base. That’s why he had 97 RBIs last year.
But Story, not counting his home runs, has been on base only three times this season (one walk and two singles). That makes it hard for Gonzalez to clear the bases.
“I’m OK with it,” Gonzalez said. “I’ll take 40 RBIs with 40 homers if we reach our goals. Our goal is to win.”
After Story’s latest longball Sunday, his seven homers were more than 16 teams — and he had as many home runs as the Marlins, Mets, Pirates and Angels combined.
“It’s always good to do well. It’s a good boost for my confidence,” Story said. “But even if I wasn’t hitting home runs, I think I’d still be confident.”
After the Rockies traded Tulowitzki, Jose Reyes became their presumptive starting shortstop. He is the Rockies’ highest-paid player, at $22 million this season. But Reyes’ domestic violence charge in Hawaii, and a likely pending suspension from Major League Baseball, gave Story a shot.
Story has taken advantage of the opportunity. A year ago, Reyes hit his seventh home run in his 116th game. Story has done that this year in 110 fewer games.
“In this game,” Gonzalez said, “confidence is No. 1. The more confidence you feel out there, the more the ability is going to show. Right now that’s his game.”
Story’s record-setting first week gave him the National League player of the week award Monday. The 23-year-old is one of just four rookies to win the honor in a season’s first week since the award made its debut in 1974. Other rookies honored: the Dodgers’ Fernando Valen- zuela (1981), the White Sox’s Salome Barojas (1982) and the Astros’ Tyler White, who won the American League award Monday.
Story’s home run Sunday, which helped salt away a 6-3 victory over the Padres, was immediately followed by Gonzalez’s second home run of the game. Gonzalez hit two solo shots.
“I don’t want to make him mad or take his steaks,” said Story, who is hitting .333. “But I guess that’s a good problem to have.”
Footnote. The Associated Press reported that a judge in Hawaii approved dismissing the domestic abuse charge against Reyes.
Deputy Maui Prosecuting Attorney Kerry Glen said Monday the judge signed off on the move but will give prosecutors about two years to refile charges if Reyes’ wife cooperates in the case. Glen said it’s impossible to move forward with prosecution without cooperation from Reyes’ wife, who refuses to speak with prosecutors.
Reyes was arrested Oct. 31 at the Wailea Four Seasons Resort.
Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or @nickgroke
Looking Ahead
Giants RHP Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 5.06 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (1-0, 1.42), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday; ROOT, 850 AM
There was a lot of pressure on Samardzija and Chatwood in their first starts this season. Chatwood, pitching for the first time in almost two years after returning from Tommy John surgery, was excellent. He was charged with two runs (one earned) on seven singles over six-plus innings in a victory at Arizona. He struck out three, did not issue a walk and pitched relatively deep into the game. Samardzija was unimpressive in his Giants debut after signing a five-year contract worth $90 million. He allowed three runs on eight hits and walked three in a no decision at Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Wednesday: Giants RHP Jake Peavy (0-0, 7.20 ERA) at Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 13.50), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Giants RHP Matt Cain (0-0, 3.00) at Rockies RHP Christian Bergman (0-1, 12.00), 1:10 p.m., ROOT
Friday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (1-0, 4.38) at Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (1-0, 2.70), 12:20 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
