Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is becoming a star

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated Jun 11, 2024 8:14 AM ET

The Colorado Rockies entered the 2024 season with five-straight losing seasons. After 65 games in 2024, they sit in last place in the National League West division.

With a 23-42 record and no signs of improvement on the horizon, there has been one silver lining: the ascension of shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.

After getting a taste of the MLB in 2022, Tovar had a fantastic rookie season in 2023 at only 21 years old. Slashing .253/.287/.408 with 56 extra-base hits and 73 RBI in 153 games, Tovar was also a finalist for the Gold Glove award at shortstop.

This season, the 22-year-old has taken the next step and has become one of the most underrated shortstops in the MLB.

Tovar is third in the MLB with 20 doubles and has added 10 home runs while posting a .293/.324/.484 slash line.

Over the last 30 games, he has been one the best hitters in baseball with a .328 batting average, 11 doubles, seven home runs and 15 RBI.

TOVAR AGAIN?!?!?

️ https://t.co/WDjLr0wQOV pic.twitter.com/do3rVCxkgH
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 8, 2024

Not only is he taking the next step offensively, Tovar leads all NL shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and has only committed three errors while having the most defensive chances at his position with 295.

Signed to a seven-year, $63.5M contract extension in March, Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt called the young shortstop "a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come." and could very well be the Rockies representative at the All-Star game this season.

While the Rockies have struggled to piece together the players around him to build a contender, his team-friendly contract will give them all the opportunities they need to make that happen.

With Tovar in place at one of the most important positions in baseball, the Rockies will hope top prospect second baseman Adael Amador can be the next piece to the puzzle after his recent MLB debut.

No matter how the team performs, Tovar is moving up the ranks as one of the best shortstops in the MLB and is on the way to a career full of accolades.

Michael Carpenter

Michael is a California kid, living in Arizona as a graduate of The Cronkite School of Journalism, Forks Up. He believes Yadier Molina will be in the Hall, and Dez caught it. Michael njoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and two beautiful daughters or playing video games. You can find him on Twitter @_MCSports.

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