Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon building MVP case
By Tim Boyle
Memorial Day weekend begins with an unexpected National League RBI leader. At the start of action on Saturday, Colorado Rockies center fielder and leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon is ahead of the pack with 45 RBI. Along with a few other notable statistics, the MVP case for Blackmon is beginning to build.
Charlie Blackmon is different from most players in baseball. The benefit of Coors Field has undeniably helped turn him into a monster at the plate. He is one of the few guys with just about every ability on offense. Once viewed as a speedy outfielder who could hit for average and decent power, Blackmon is now a genuine run producer and quite possibly our 2017 National League MVP winner.
The talented-filled Colorado Rockies are in first place and this is certainly adding to Blackmon’s spectacular season. He is getting more help than ever before. Plus, the team is playing with a lot more purpose. They are in first place with a legitimate chance at the postseason.
It’s not just the RBI total that leads the way in the National League. Blackmon also has more plate appearances, at-bats, hits, triples, and total bases than anyone else. His 12 home runs are right there with the top sluggers. By the time June rolls around, a hot week and a half could help him pass everyone.
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Last season looked like it was going to be the career-year for Blackmon. He set multiple career highs included 35 doubles, 29 home runs, and 85 RBI. He did so with a stellar .324/.381/.552 batting line. These were all very favorable totals for the Rockies outfielder after he regressed slightly in 2015 from his All-Star 2014 campaign.
The noticeable difference this season for Blackmon is that he is distancing himself from looking like a leadoff hitter. After 49 games, Blackmon has only four stolen bases. Last season, he had 17 which was a new low following his breakout year in 2014. Blackmon is also walking less, but has made up for it by already knocking in more than half of the runs he did in 2016.
Obviously, there is plenty of season left to play before Blackmon is declared the MVP. Teammate Nolan Arenado was a preseason candidate who could still challenge. He is having a great season as well and one of the main reasons the Rockies own the best record in the league.
Unfortunately for Blackmon, the MVP vote is never easy for Rockies players. Arenado has received limited consideration in the most recent seasons despite worthy numbers. Blackmon has received a similar treatment. His terrific 2016 season earned him only one vote point even with a WAR greater than top ten finishers Joey Votto and Yoenis Cespedes.
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In order to earn the respect of more voters, it’s going to take some ridiculous numbers on his stat sheet. If he can also improve upon his road numbers, the baseball writers will have no choice but to hand the bearded one the league’s best player award.