Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Power surge could also supercharge rising Rockies star's bank account

By Colin Cerniglia | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 12:43 PM ET

Coors Field has long been a hitter’s paradise, but Colorado outfielder Brenton Doyle’s surge at the plate is a product of more than the thin air in the Mile High City.

Entering his third MLB season, he’s positioning himself as the Rockies’ breakout player in 2025. The 26-year-old has already established himself as arguably the game’s best defensive outfielder, winning back-to-back NL Gold Gloves and adding a Fielding Bible Award in 2024.

Now, he has an offensive track record to back it up. Doyle’s bat lagged behind his glove during his rookie season in 2023, when he slashed .203/.250/.343 with 10 home runs and ranked in the 10th percentile for batting run value, per Baseball Savant.

But in 2024, everything changed. He hit .260/.317/.446 with 23 home runs, raising his OPS from .593 to .764 — comfortably above the league average of .711. His hard-hit rate, barrel percentage and average exit velocity climbed, pushing him into the 68th percentile for batting run value. (Batting run value is a statistical metric that measures a hitter's overall contribution to scoring runs based on his individual plate appearances.)

It’s easy to dismiss any offensive breakout from a Rockies player as a byproduct of Coors Field and thin air, but there’s more to Doyle’s improvement than altitude.

His increased home run total and well-rounded offensive approach highlight his burgeoning skills. His production helped the Rockies rank fourth among MLB teams in center field OPS in 2024, trailing only the Twins, Padres and Yankees.

Then there’s the speed. Doyle, who will turn 27 on May 14, swiped 30 bases in 35 attempts last season, bringing his career total to 52 in two years. Pairing elite speed (94th percentile) with an elite throwing arm (99th percentile) make him a rare breed: a legitimate five-tool player who impacts every facet of the game.

The Rockies appear to recognize that.

Nothing is finalized, but MLB Trade Rumors reported there are rumblings about a potential contract extension for Doyle, a move that would make sense given how rare everyday center fielders of his caliber are.

But the extension talk isn’t the story — the breakout is. Still, securing a deal early could be a game-changer for Doyle, giving him financial stability while allowing the Rockies to lock in a cornerstone piece before arbitration drives up his price.

Doyle’s defensive prowess has always made him great. Now, his bat is proving he belongs among the game’s most dynamic players.

Age is irrelevant when production soars. The production of New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge soared in his first full season (52 HRs, 114 RBI) in 2017, when he was 25. Nobody probably expects Doyle to be the next Judge, but he’s showing real staying power.

If 2024 was just the beginning, 2025 could be the year Doyle becomes a true star.

Colin Cerniglia

Colin Cerniglia is an Amazon bestselling author, co-host of the "2 Jocks and a Schlub" podcast from Blue Wire, and a contributor to The Charlotte Observer. With a deep passion for baseball and college football, he offers extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to his writing. Colin resides in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and two daughters

More must-reads: