Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | June 7, 2024
In baseball, the “sophomore slump” is a widely recognized challenge that many young players must navigate. After a stellar rookie season, maintaining consistency in their second year can prove difficult for various reasons.
However, Brenton Doyle defies this trend.
Defying the Sophomore Slump
In contrast to the common pitfall of the sophomore slump, Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle has enjoyed a sophomore jump in 2024.
Despite facing the challenge of adjusting to MLB pitching, Brenton Doyle had an impressive rookie season for Colorado. After making his debut on April 24, 2023, Doyle stayed with the Rockies for the entirety of the season and played in 126 games. Offensively, he slashed .203/.250/.343 and hit 10 homers with 48 RBI. He also led the team in stolen bases with 22.
But Brenton’s value goes beyond his offense. Last season, Doyle made countless jaw-dropping plays while roaming the Coors Field outfield. In the end, he was rewarded with a Gold Glove Award in his rookie season, something only 17 players in MLB history have accomplished.
Additionally, the only other Colorado Rockies outfielders to win a Gold Glove Award are two Rockies legends: Hall of Famer Larry Walker, a seven-time winner, and three-time All-Star Carlos Gonzalez, a three-time winner.
“That’s good company,” Doyle said when asked about the recognition.
Coors Field is notorious for its expansive outfield, but that doesn’t bother Doyle.
“I think the biggest thing is just the size of the outfield, but in Albuquerque (Rockies Triple-A affiliate) the outfield is pretty large as well,” Doyle said when asked about the challenge of Coors Field. “So it’s kind of a good stepping stone to what to expect here.”
How does a Gold Glove defender prepare for a ballgame at Coors Field?
“I think the biggest thing for me is taking live reads during batting practice, especially whenever I can,” Doyle said. “I take my reads out there during BP pretty seriously and it helps me translate it to the game.”
Doyle’s defense has the attention of coaches across the league. Compared to a season ago, when Doyle recorded 10 outfield assists (T-9th most in MLB) and fired the fastest outfield throw Statcast has ever recorded at 105.7 MPH, his chances have been few and far between this season. He sits at the top of opposing teams’ scouting reports, and his rocket arm is no secret anymore.
“I don’t mind it. Whenever there’s a situation where the coach decides to hold a runner up, that’s always good,” Doyle said when asked about the respect for his arm. “But at the same time, I do miss the adrenaline and the thrill of throwing some guys out.”
Offseason adjustments
This offseason, Brenton was determined to make a jump in his offensive numbers. “I made some pretty good swing changes this offseason,” Doyle said. “The biggest thing was just trying to simplify and make my swing a bit more efficient. A lot less body movement in my load and everything. Allows my eyes to work a little better and see the ball a little bit more.”
Early on, those changes are proving beneficial. In 2024, Doyle boasts the Rockies’ third-best on-base percentage, standing at .341. He is slashing .266/.341/.411, accompanied by his five home runs, which rank third on the team. Particularly noteworthy is the plate discipline improvements that Doyle has made this year. Compared to 2023, he has cut his strikeout rate by nearly 9% while almost doubling his walk rate, from 5.1% in ’23 to 9.8% in ’24.
“I mean it’s definitely rewarding,” Doyle said. “You see the walk rate go up, you see the average go up, and the extra base hits. All that good stuff. It’s definitely rewarding. I worked my butt off this offseason so it definitely feels good.”
On the basepaths, Doyle is continuing his roll. His 14 stolen bases lead the club (nobody else on the team has more than four), and his 10 stolen bases in the month of May were good for third-most in all of baseball.
“A lot of the time it’s just natural reaction,” Doyle said of his stolen bases. “But it’s a big strong suit of of my game and I plan to keep doing it.”
Leadership
In his second season and first full campaign, Brenton Doyle has emerged as a leader for this young Rockies team. However, he’s not the type to yell or display overt emotion. Instead, his quiet confidence serves as a reassuring presence in the Colorado clubhouse.
“It’s kind of always been that way,” Doyle said when asked about his calm demeanor. “I haven’t been the biggest vocal type of leader, but I try to lead by example as much as I can. I will be vocal here and there if it’s necessary, but I really just try to push whoever’s around me as much as I can and it works out most of the time.”
Doyle’s leadership role has been significantly influenced by veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon. As the longest-tenured Rockie, debuting on June 7, 2011, Blackmon has taken Doyle under his wing, offering valuable guidance during the early stages of his career.
“He’s one of the best,” Doyle said of Blackmon. “I’m very fortunate that he’s kind of taken me under his wing and helped me out, even when I first met him in my first big league spring training a couple of years back. Whatever I need out of him he’s always super, super open to answering whatever question I have. He’s a big help.”
Work-life balance
Off the field, balancing baseball and life is crucial for a player’s success. Baseball is often dubbed the ‘game of failure,’ where even the most accomplished hitters succeed only about 35% of the time. This reality can pose significant mental challenges for players, underscoring the importance of effective stress management techniques to navigate the pressures of the sport.
“Spending time with my family is the biggest thing,” Doyle said when asked about dealing with the stress of baseball. “But when they’re not here and they’re back in Virginia, video games are a good one. I kind of keep a competitive edge on there, but it’s always relaxing sitting back in the chair playing video games and watching some good TV shows.”
Family is everything to Brenton. He and his wife, Rose Doyle, have a daughter named Braelynn. For Brenton, being both a parent and a ballplayer is the ultimate combination, a sentiment he describes as the best duo in the world.
“It’s the best. I think the biggest thing is even after a tough game here and there, just to be able to see your wife and your daughter smile at you and give you a big hug, it helps to flush away whatever just happened. And whenever you have a good game, there’s nothing better than going home to your wife and family.”
On the field, Brenton Doyle will continue to blossom into an essential piece of the puzzle for the future success of the Colorado Rockies. Off the field, Brenton Doyle embodies not only an exceptional athlete but also a devoted family man. Balancing the demands of the sport with the joys of fatherhood, Doyle finds solace in his loved ones, recognizing them as his ultimate support system.
Doyle Rules.
Story by Noah Spirek.
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