Strike 2: As they continue to push uphill in their ongoing rebuilding efforts, the Colorado Rockies do have one very big part of the plan firmly in place: They’ve struck gold – past, present and future – up the middle.

Astute baseball people will all tell you that great teams are great up the middle. That means being able to count outstanding defense every night from their catcher, shortstop, second baseman and center fielder. In football, you build powerful teams along the line of scrimmage, from the inside out. In baseball, it’s up the middle.

These Rockies – who still have far too many issues elsewhere to be a playoff contender just yet – can boast recent National League Gold Glove recipients in second year center fielder Brenton Doyle, who won the hardware as a rookie last season, and at second base, where starter Brendan Rodgers won his NL award in 2022. Doyle’s struggles at the plate were well documented, but his mastery of the vast expanse of Coors Field was both unexpected and eye opening. Many of us struggle to understand just how “defensive runs saved” are measured and compiled (Does someone have to be on base and in scoring position for a great play to count in this new metric?) but Doyle ranked seventh in all of MLB with 19 of those.

Due to injury, Rodgers only played in 43 games in 2023, but he didn’t commit an error in 143 chances. He’s back and healthy this spring.

The starter behind the plate remains Elias Diaz, who was named the MVP of last season’s All-Star game after hitting a huge home run. But Diaz is considered an excellent defensive catcher as well. He threw out 22 would-be base stealers a season ago, while compiling a .988 fielding percentage in over 1,000 innings behind the plate.

The best part is that his new backup is Jacob Stallings, who comes over from Miami after a solid run in Pittsburgh where he and Diaz were teammates. Stallings is an even better defender, posting a .998 fielding percentage a season ago. As a Pirate in 2021, he won the NL Gold Glove award.

The most intriguing piece of this defensive puzzle is shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, a future All-Star who showed flashes of brilliance in the field as a rookie in 2023. Tover started 153 games and played over 1,300 innings. He committed just seven errors, posting a .988 fielding percentage (and had 13 defensive runs saved.) His “Web Gem” worthy defensive plays more than tripled his errors. There’s most certainly a few Gold Gloves in his immediate future.

Most fans focus on a team’s offensive success and how well their pitching staff can compete. But defense is every bit as vital if a team is going to contend for anything in October. The 2007 “Rocktober” Rockies – the only Colorado team to make it to the World Series – still holds the best all-time National League fielding percentage at .9892.

While they search for quality arms that can withstand the rigors of Coors Field and stay healthy and productive, the Rockies can at least count on dependable defense at almost every position. Left fielder Nolan Jones (10 defensive runs saved in just 110 games played) and third baseman Ryan McMahon (17 DRS) are also Gold Glove candidates, and the team expects Kris Bryant to be solid at first base. Right field is unsettled at the moment, but it’s the least demanding defensive position at 20th and Blake.

While the team explores all their options on the mound, at least the pitchers that consistently throw strikes will be able to depend on the guys behind them to make the plays.