What’s not to like about Dickerson?
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Corey Dickerson has quickly become a fan favorite with his performance.
He is not only hitting, but he is making hustle plays such as stretching a single into a double or double into a triple. He is doing whatever he can to get on base.
Rockies manager Walt Weiss liked what he saw out of Dickerson to bat him third in the lineup in yesterday’s game, and the rookie outfielder made the rookie manager look like a genius by going 3-for-4 with a triple, two doubles and two RBIs.
Dickerson has played so well that the Rockies expect him to drive in runs or get a base hit when he is hitting. He demonstrated that couple of times in yesterday’s game. He hit a RBI triple that scored Dexter Fowler to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead over the Padres in the third inning, and he extended the Rockies’ lead to 4-2 in the eighth inning by hitting a double that scored Fowler.
It wasn’t the hitting that stood out. It was how he was able to stretch a double into a triple with his speed, and that’s what he did in the third inning. He tried to do it again in the eighth inning, but he was tagged out at third after he stretched a double into a triple.
Questioning his decision to go for the triple in the eighth is irrelevant. It’s about how aggressive he can be and how he trusts his speed to help him get extra bases. That’s what the Rockies like about him, and that’s why he will be getting playing time for the final seven weeks of the season.
For all intents and purposes, the Rockies are looking at guys who can play next year. Dickerson is one of them, and that’s why Weiss is giving him the opportunity. He has made the most of it.
Dickerson’s odds of being an everyday outfielder next year is good with Michael Cuddyer likely replacing Todd Helton at first base. He has this year’s experience to help him make his case to win the job in the 2014 season.
In 33 games he played this season, Dickerson is hitting .321 with 25 hits, eight doubles, two triples and eight RBIs.
He always had the talent to be great offensively. When he played at Triple-A Colorado Springs, he hit .371 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 75 games.
His defense has been better. He has not made an error in 17 games prior to yesterday’s game. He knows where the ball is going as he positions himself to make a catch, and he has made good catches. That certainly goes a long way for Dickerson.
His attitude has served him well. He is eager to learn from others. He picks up valuable lessons from veterans such as Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez. He has a great work ethic. He likes to always get better. That goes a long way for a player to be good.
Dickerson’s track record as a hitter shows he is not a fluke. He is a guy the Rockies can build around along with Nolan Arenado and D.J. LeMahieu.
With young hitters, it comes down to consistency. Remember Josh Rutledge and Tyler Colvin played well last year and they weren’t the same players this year. Before the Rockies can get excited about Dickerson, they need to see more.
Right now, the rookie outfielder is enjoying this appearance. He knows he can’t think ahead. Baseball is a humbling sport where a player is as good as the next day. He does not have the talent like Carlos Gonzalez, which the game comes easily. He has to work for it.
Dickerson embraces the challenge. He is a go-getter. He listens to what people tell him. He is at it at the batting cage. His personality is contagious.
For him, this is the American dream. This is an opportunity for him to play a kid’s game in ballparks around the country. This is a privilege for him hanging out with the greatest players in the world. This is where he is thankful where he can be on a chartered flight rather than be on a bus to a minor-league town.
Dickerson wants to see to it he does not go back to the minors. He did all he could there. It’s about him staying in the major leagues now.
He is having it good now, but he knows the hard part is keeping it up. His challenge is just the beginning.
Right now, he is riding a nice momentum.
He hopes it does not end anytime soon.
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