Just like the home runs he’s been blasting this season, Hunter Goodman’s selection to his second straight All-Star Game was a no-doubter.
The Rockies catcher was named to the National League team when . This year’s 96th Midsummer Classic will be played on Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Goodman, 26, is only the second Rockies catcher in franchise history to be named to the NL team, along with Elias Díaz (2023). He’s also the first Colorado player to earn a second straight selection since 2019, when Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story all appeared in consecutive games.
Entering Saturday nightap game against the Giants, Goodman has 27 home runs — tied for second in all of baseball. And he’s doing it while playing catcher every single game, while the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (27) and the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber (30) are only swinging the bat as designated hitters.
Goodman’s 27 home runs have put him in rare company in franchise history. Only Hall of Famer Larry Walker had hit more homers for the Rockies through 85 games than Goodman entering Tuesday. Entering Saturday night’s game against the Giants, Goodman had nine games remaining to surpass Walker’s mark of 27 homers before the All-Star break.
“The last few weeks I’ve gotten a lot of good pitches to hit,” said Goodman earlier this week. “I’ve been able to capitalize on those. It goes through spurts where there’s some weeks, you’re not getting a lot of good pitches. And there’s other weeks where you’re getting a good bit of good pitches to hit. And I’ve been able to capitalize on those recently.”
Goodman’s 13 homers in June led the majors. His power game also travels. Only nine of his 27 homers have come in the thin air of Coors Field. He’s mostly donned the resplendent faux-fur purple coat that the Rockies break out for home-run celebrations on the road.
Of Walker’s 27 homers before the All-Star break in 2001, 14 came on the road. Goodman’s 18 road homers ahead of the All-Star break are the most in franchise history, breaking a previous record set by Walker in 1997.
When asked to explain his unusual home-road splits on Tuesday, Goodman didn’t have any deep thoughts.
“I don’t really have an answer for it right now,” Goodman said. “I’d love to perform at home. I’d love to. As the season goes on, I think it will get better. I try not to worry about it. As long as I’m doing my job, it’ll work itself out.”
Goodman ranks first among all catchers in home runs, total bases (172), runs scored (56), slugging percentage (.550) and extra-base hits (41). He ranks second among NL catchers in hits (44) and third in RBI (50). He’s the second player in franchise history to have at least 13 home runs in a single month, along with Troy Tulowitzki, who belted 15 home runs in September of the 2010 season.
“There’s a lot that goes into it,” he said of his approach this season. “Some of the stuff I’ve been doing in the cage has helped. Every day is a different plan of attack for whatever pitcher is on the mound. Guys throw different pitches, attack you different ways. You’ve got to know how they’re going to attack you and figure that out and look for a good zone for you to see the ball in.”
