For Nolan Jones, the season’s final six weeks will resemble a supercharged spring training.
The competition is tougher, the stakes higher, and the scrutiny more intense. That’s fine with the Rockies left fielder, who’s trying to salvage something from his difficult season.
“It’s been a long year for me trying to get my back right, but I feel like I’m in a great spot and I’m ready to go,” Jones said Sunday when he returned to the active roster after his second lengthy stint on the injured list.
Jones missed 41 games early in the season because of a low back strain followed by a sprained knee. He returned to the IL on July 12 when his back injury flared up again, forcing him to miss 30 more games.
Add on his struggles at the plate when he did play, and what he admits is the weight of self-induced pressure, and it’s been a struggle. Also, his fiancee, Morgan Gauger, had a baby girl, Kamryn May, on Aug. 4. Jones said Kamryn had some breathing issues but is now doing well.
Clearly, there’s been a lot on Jones’ broad shoulders.
“I didn’t know how long it was going to take to get back and I didn’t know if I was going to play again this year,” Jones said. “There was a lot I was going through, so to be back among the guys has been awesome.”
Jones, 26, was hoping for a strong encore performance to his breakout 2023 season when he became the first Rockies rookie to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. He also led the majors and set a franchise record with 19 outfield assists. He slashed .297/.389/.542 in 106 games and finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
In 49 games this season, he’s slashed .202/.311/.313 with three homers and three stolen bases. His strikeout rate has risen from 29.7% to 33.0%, while his home run rate has fallen from 4.7% to 1.6%.
His goal for the final six weeks of the season?
“I want to stay healthy and help this team win some games,” Jones said. “I want to contribute to this young team and be a part of the future of the organization. This year isn’t what I wanted or what I expected it to be, but I want to be part of the future here.”
Jones believes he can find his groove and be productive as late summer turns to autumn.
“I’ve missed a lot time but, I feel like I was really getting into a rhythm my last time (active), so it was really frustrating for me,” he said. “But I’m not going to look back at my numbers for this year and say I had a good year or a bad year. I’m going to learn from how I can take care of my body and get prepared every day.”
Iron horse. First baseman Michael Toglia hit 1 for 3 with a double in the eighth inning Sunday in Colorado’s 3-2 win over the Padres to extend his hitting streak to a career-long 11 games. He’s slashing .351/.467/.622 across that span with five doubles, one triple and one home run.
Toglia started his 53rd consecutive game at first, the longest streak since Hall of Famer Todd Helton manned first in 52 straight games from Aug. 23, 2007, to April 17, 2008.
Doyle rules. Center fielder Brenton Doyle’s leadoff triple in the sixth inning extended his hitting streak to a career-long eight games. He’s the fifth Rockie in franchise history to have a season with at least 20 doubles, 20 home runs, 24 stolen bases and four triples, and the first since Trevor Story in 2018.
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Originally Published: August 18, 2024 at 3:02 p.m.
