MESA, Ariz. — It was nearly seven years ago, June 17, 2015, to be exact, that 18-year-old Brendan Rodgers received a $5.5 million signing bonus to be the Rockies’ next star shortstop.
Rodgers, the third overall pick in the draft, set a goal of making the majors by age 21. He didn’t make it. Rodgers didn’t debut until May 17, 2019, at age 22 years and 281 days.
And he’s no longer a shortstop. The Rockies heir apparent to Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story is not Rodgers, but 20-year-old Ezequiel Tovar, who’s torching the Cactus League this spring.
Rodgers, who’s always professed his love for playing short, is now a second baseman. And you know what? He’s more than OK with it, even if deep in his heart he still might be a shortstop.
“I feel like I’m all in,” Rodgers said Friday after smacking a towering home run against the Cubs at Sloan Park. “I have a feeling that second base is the place for me. It’s night and day from 2016 when I first started mixing in over at (second) in the minors. I feel a lot more confident.”
Rodgers is a much different person from the kid the Rockies nabbed out of Lake Mary (Fla.) High School. His mullet is more pronounced and he’s growing a beard that’s approaching Charlie Blackmon status.
He’s much more than that, baseball is no longer just the sport he loves, it’s become the job into which he’s investing his time, passion and sweat. That’s what must happen when you’ve endured what Rodgers has endured.
In July 2019, just two months after his major-league debut, Rodgers underwent surgery to fix his aching right shoulder. Then came the pandemic in 2020, a shortened season, and another trip to the injured list, again with an injured right shoulder. Thankfully, this time it was not serious.
Buzzard’s luck struck again during spring training last year. During a Cactus League game on March 13, he attempted to steal second base only to pull up lame with a severely strained hamstring. He didn’t return to the Rockies until May 21.
Through all of that misfortune, Rodgers didn’t pout. He recommitted. That talent, of course, never deserted him.
“Brendan can hit, for sure,” manager Bud Black said. “During the last part of the lockout, he spent time down here in Arizona getting ready. He’s probably feeling as good as he has in a number of years — physically and mentally. We are going to expect a lot out of him.”
Black was continually impressed by the work Nolan Arenado and Story spent on the diamond, fielding groundballs and perfecting their craft. He urged Rodgers to follow their lead. Now Rodgers is beginning to do just that and he’s become a smoother second baseman.
“He’s improving, incrementally,” Black said. “Brendan will get more comfortable each and every day, week, month and year. But he’s got to stay on top of things too, though. The way professional athletes do. Fitness, nutrition, all of those things that go into being a pro.”
Rodgers didn’t hit his first career homer until June 5 of last season, after 137 at-bats. Once the weight of great expectations was lifted off of his shoulders, Rodgers started flashing the promise that made him the third-overall pick. After the homer, he slashed .293/.333/.497 with 15 home runs, 20 doubles and three triples in 90 games.
Rodger is no longer a phenom, he’s 25. Major League Baseball tried to chew him up and spit him out of the game. But he’s still standing. He has a chance to thrive, not just because of talent but because of the sweat he’s investing.
“This is probably the best shape I’ve been in my life,” he said. “Over the years my body has had some wear and tear, but I’m feeling really good right now. That’s what I want to take into the season.”
