Rockies want Charlie Blackmon to run more

The Colorado Rockies want outfielder Charlie Blackmon to run more this season, manager Bud Black says.

What It Means:

Black indicated that the drop was due in part to the outfielder's legs not feeling 100 percent. "Charlie is dangerous in (the batter’s) box and became a real threat, each and every time he got in the box or when he got on first base (in 2015)," Black said. "We’ve got to get back to that." Blackmon dealt with separate toe issues on two occasions in 2016, so perhaps that's what Black is referring to.

Blackmon fell back to 17 stolen bases in 2016 after swiping 43 in 2015. He had career-highs in his slash line -- giving him plenty of opportunities on-base -- with a .324/.381/.552, but his .394 BABIP should regress some even in the friendly confines of Coors Field.