Selected third overall in 2015 as the heir apparent to the Rockies' middle infield, Brendan Rodgers carried the "can’t-miss" tag for years. While he eventually secured a starting role, his time in Denver hasn't been the smooth ascent many predicted; instead, it has been a stop-and-start journey.
Rodgers’ tenure reached its clear defensive peak in 2022, a season where he finally stayed healthy enough to showcase his pedigree. He didn't just play second base; he dominated it, leading all National League second basemen in defensive runs saved and total zone runs. His 2.9 defensive bWAR was an elite outlier that earned him a Gold Glove, proving he had the specialized range to turn hits into outs.
Offensively, he backed up his fielding with a career-high 140 hits and 63 RBIs, appearing to finally be the foundational pillar the front office envisioned a decade ago. However, Rodgers’ career has been defined as much by the trainer’s room as the diamond. Since his debut, he has battled a relentless string of setbacks, from shoulder surgeries to hamstring strains. This physical toll reached a frustrating high-leverage point in 2023, when a ruptured capsule in his left shoulder cost him nearly the entire season.
While he returned for a final 135-game stretch in 2024, hitting .267 with 13 home runs, the organization decided to move on after the season, declining to tender the infielder and ending his six-year stint in purple and black.
With the Rockies, Rodgers compiled 449 hits.
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