According to a report from Daniel Álvarez-Montes, the Colorado Rockies and young promising shortstop Ezequiel Tovar are agreeing to a long-term extension. The extension, which starts this season, is for seven years, with a club option for an eighth year, that could earn Tovar up to $84 million. The contract buys out all of his arbitration years and two free agency years.
Rockies Agree to Extension with Ezequiel Tovar
Tovar broke Rockies camp last year, and at 21 years of age, became the youngest Opening Day starter in Rockies franchise history. He took that opportunity and ran with it. Tovar recorded 16 OAA last season which was in the 99th percentile according to Baseball Savant, and was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award.
While his offensive numbers weren’t ideal, with a measly 77 OPS+, he has abilities that the Rockies hope he can keep going with and expand on. Tovar had 56 extra-base hits last season, and his 37 doubles tied legend Todd Helton for the most by a rookie in franchise history. His sweet spot percentage of 36.4% ranked well in the 71st percentile and is something he can hopefully build on.
There are some things he has to improve on though. Tovar was in the 2nd percentile in chase rate, at a staggering 42%, and had a 31.3% whiff rate. He strikes out at a 27% clip while only walking 4% of the time. His average exit velocity was only a mere 88 mph.
None of these are particularly good, but he is entering only his second full season at the age of 22 and has a lot of room and time for improvement. His defense is already elite and it looks as if multiple Gold Glove awards are coming to him in the future. If his offense can pick up to what the Rockies front office projects it can become, this contract could become a steal within a few years.
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