Shifting by Colorado Rockies infield up markedly this year
It’s no surprise that teams are shifting dramatically more in recent years, and one team is off the charts this year when it comes to shifting. The Colorado Rockies are projected to see a whopping increase of 590% in shifting this year compared to last year, according to Grantland. The team with the second-biggest increase over last year is the Dodgers at a meager 146% increase.
Is it possible for the already stout Colorado Rockies infield defense -- recently dubbed the “Coors Shield” -- to get any better by employing so many shifts?
Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado seems content to go along with the shifts, according to Purple Row:
"We are good where we're at, we make our plays, we do what we have to as well as making the special plays ... But hey, if the statistics show that they are hitting the ball there, then we are gonna go for it.”
Veteran shortstop and fellow Gold Glover, Troy Tulowitzki, isn’t quite as convinced. He told Purple Row:
"I'm kinda old school. I understand why we do it and what it is used for, but I'm not a big shift guy.”
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu had a more mixed response:
"I don't mind shifting," says LeMahieu, "I think the only questions I had, and still have, are moving the shortstop over to the other side of second base or the second baseman over to the other side. I get shifting guys certain ways, but when you put guys in uncomfortable situations, I don't know if the benefits outweigh the cons. But I don't disagree with shifting.”
(h/t Purple Row)
