Rockies' Story Adjusts As League Adjusts To Him
CINCINNATI (The Sports Xchange) - After Trevor Story became the first player in major-league history to hit four home runs in his first four career games, it wasn't long before opposing teams were trying to get the book on the Colorado Rockies shortstop.
"It takes a game or two and the whole league has information on you," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss. "It doesn't take long for the league to start putting together a plan against you."
And, in this era of technologically advanced scouting, that data is almost immediate.
Story, who had eight home runs entering Wednesday's series finale in Cincinnati, already is seeing changes in the way pitchers are approaching him.
"From game to game, series to series, I see it," said Story, who played in his 14th career game on Wednesday. "I feel like the Cubs stayed away a lot. I feel like (the Reds) were trying to do that too. It doesn't really affect what I'm trying to do. If I get my pitch I feel like I can take care of it."
Story went 27 at-bats between homers before hitting a monstrous solo shot off Reds right-hander Ross Ohlendorf in the eighth inning on Monday. He followed that up with an 0-for-4 performance with a strikeout the following night.
Story went 0-for-3 with a walk and run in Wednesday's 6-5 loss in the series finale in Cincinnati.
The adjustments will come fast and furious this season for the 23-year old slugger. But, Weiss likes what he's seen so far in terms of Story's response.
"I think that first week, people really didn't know what to do with him," he said. "They were throwing breaking balls, busting him in with fastballs. They were throwing the kitchen sink at him and he was hitting everything out of the park."
It's certainly not fair to suggest that Story's sensational start came out of nowhere. He hit 20 homers and drove in 80 runs in 130 games in two minor-league stops last year. His career high for homers with one team is 18 in 2012, his second season in the Rockies organization after being their top pick in 2011.
Story's eight home runs lead the major leagues. His 14 RBIs rank third. He has hit safely in 11 of 15 games. Conventional wisdom says he won't maintain this pace.
"It's a process of trial and error," Weiss said. "It happens with everybody. As a young player dealing with it for the first time, it can be a challenge. People are always counterpunching. I haven't seen him waver one bit."
