Historically, Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez struggles at the plate during the early months of the season.
The club’s longest-tenured major leaguer, Cargo more often than not struggles in the months of March, April, and May — posting career lows in batting average and OPS — and heats up as the weather does.
Through the first month and a half of the 2017 campaign, Gonzalez, however, has struggled more than usual, posting a .194 average and .561 OPS compared to March/April averages of .271 and .778.
But despite his struggles at the plate, ESPN MLB analyst Aaron Boon told “Schlereth & Evans” that moving Cargo down in the lineup, or all the way off the lineup and on the bench, is “not necessarily” the move he’d make.
“I’m still counting on the impactful Cargo to show up, so I don’t want to mess with that by over-sitting him, messing with his psyche at all, moving him around too much,” Boone said.
Boone said that psychology is important for not only Gonzalez but also, with the 10-year veteran a team leader, the Rockies clubhouse.
“I think it matters because it comes down to, in 162 games where you’re playing every day, the clubhouse really matters. And I’ve always felt that way,” Boone said.
He later added: “If you’re in your best place mentally, physically, and emotionally every day, it really matters.”
And Colorado’s in the fortunate position of being able to allow the slumping slugger to work things out because the team is winning either way.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Rockies sit atop the National League West at 22-13.
“I think if you’re a Rockies fan, you’ve got to be excited at the fact that he and (shortstop Trevor) Story and a couple other guys aren’t really rolling, yet they’re sitting where they’re at, especially when you know he can carry a club at some point,” Boone said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
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