Doyle embraces challenge of playing center field at Coors Field

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- A shelf with two Gold Gloves and corresponding statistics serve as witnesses that Brenton Doyle has had the best stretch in center field in Rockies history. He embraces the challenge of extending his run even though Coors Field is a difficult place to play the position well or for long.

“Center field has become my home,” Doyle said. “It’s my primary position … I want to play it as long as possible."

Doyle faces the double dare of covering the expansive ground of Coors while also dealing with the tendency for balls to travel a greater distance -- which increases the chance of high-speed trips to the outfield fence. Hall of Famer Larry Walker and All-Stars Ellis Burks and Carlos González all played center for the Rockies, but quickly moved to corners.

Even more, Doyle’s metrics are positive even though experts at such calculations acknowledge that accounting for Coors is quite difficult. Four-time All-Star Charlie Blackmon felt he was better than his defensive metrics. Dexter Fowler was at his speediest with the Rockies but his defense was widely acknowledged only after he left.

In just 271 defensive appearances (out of 275 games played), Doyle has saved 29 runs from scoring, according to Baseball-Reference. The next-highest number belongs to Juan Pierre with 10 in 359 games. Cory Sullivan, with one in 355 games, is the only other center fielder in club history with a positive number.

Doyle’s 3.7 defensive wins above replacement is highest for any Rockies player with his number of games or higher.

Now, how can Doyle, 26, stay where he wants to be?

Listed at 6-4 and 220 pounds, Doyle is similar physically to Blackmon, who was listed at 6-3, 221 pounds when he retired last year after 14 seasons. Doyle saw Blackmon -- whose legendary preparation and maintenance allowed him to stay in center for 692 games, which is far and away the club mark.

“I say it all the time -- he’s the kind of guy you want your kids to watch, and hopefully, I can pursue the same track and have someone say that about me,” Doyle said.

Manager Bud Black said, “You can make the comparison. Charlie was strong. Doyle was strong. Both have a strong desire to play a lot. Both take care of themselves. You can go down the list.”

Last year, Doyle took a few days off late with knee tendinitis -- the wage for all of the running, diving and wall contact. The Rockies avoided arbitration with Sam Hilliard, who had a solid finish to 2024 as a part-time player, for a one-year deal for $1 million so they could sprinkle days off for Doyle during the season.

Doyle watched Blackmon and learned self-care with workouts and treatment. He also learned last season -- when he increased his batting average 57 points over his rookie year to .260 -- that he can succeed by taking batting practice in moderation.

“My rookie season, I realized it’s a lot of games, especially at altitude,” Doyle said. “My body started feeling it a little bit more. I had to make sure my body felt as good as possible.”

Senzatela appreciates the work
Righty Antonio Senzatela threw 83 pitches over 4 2/3 scoreless innings, and has held opponents to one run in 16 2/3 spring innings. Senzatela worked around seven hits and a walk on Saturday.

“The last three or four outings there haven’t been too many guys on base,” Senzatela said. “Today, every inning I had somebody on base and it was good. Doyle made a nice catch and everybody was doing a good job helping me out there.”

Alternate plans?
Righty Bradley Blalock continued his case for an Opening Day bullpen spot on Saturday when he replaced Senzatela with two on and two out in the fifth, and worked Andrew Vaughn into a groundout. Blalock stayed for two more scoreless innings. The Rockies need a reliever who can handle multiple innings and the ability to clean up an inning.

Adding Blalock or a long reliever should be easier since the Rockies can go with a four-man rotation until April 8 at home against the Brewers. Such a plan could give lefty Austin Gomber time to build his pitch count.

Gomber is scheduled to pitch two innings in a Minor League game on Sunday against the Royals for his first action since being scratched from his March 2 start with left shoulder soreness. His next opportunity to pitch would be next Saturday against the Cubs, likely for three innings. But he could use more time to reach a higher pitch count.