SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant’s 437-foot home run on Saturday against the Athletics illustrated why the Rockies are repeatedly knocking on wood in the hope for health in the third year of Bryant’s seven-year, $182 million contract.

Bryant’s third homer this spring -- this one coming against A’s lefty Kyle Muller -- had been coming after he went deep twice in the first six games this spring. Since then, there had been many fly balls -- some hit harder than others -- but none had cleared the fence since March 4.

That’s a fault, Bryant said, that can be corrected to delightful results.

“It was a 2-2 breaking ball; honestly, I just flipped at it and it went pretty far,” said Bryant, who played right field on Saturday and will also see time at first base and designated hitter. “I have a tremendous amount of trust in myself and in what I can do.

“I'm super happy because the ball is [being hit] in the air. I'm not out in front of balls where I'm just rolling over to the third baseman. That's more a situation where there's some work that needs to be done. Making outs in the air, deep flyouts, that's what we're trying to do -- drive the ball in the air. If I stay right there, you know, I know the results will come.”

The story of Rockies camp has centered around several players who have leaped off the prospect list, and the expectation that younger players who got a peek into the Majors at the end of Colorado’s 59-103 season in 2023 will take the next step in ‘24. 

But any chance to grow into a true competitor sooner than later rests with veterans such as Bryant performing to expectations. The prospects aren’t sure enough or close enough to surpass Bryant. Manager Bud Black greets any suggestion that they could be with the .278/.376/.504 slash line Bryant produced from 2015-21 before injuries limited him to just 122 games in his first two seasons in Purple Pinstripes.

“He was just getting under some balls,” Black said with a lightness and hope in his voice. “But that ball [on Saturday] was smoked.”

Bryant offered defiance when discussing the Rockies’ 2024 batting order, which has had some high Cactus League run outputs. 

But before and until Colorado proves otherwise, Bryant knows the team is dealing with low expectations and the fact that its accomplishments figure to be discounted because the Rockies play at hitter-friendly Coors Field. 

“We’ve got a good lineup,” Bryant said. “I don’t think we get enough credit for the offensive side, just because we are playing in Coors Field and the negativity around that because it’s a good hitter’s park. I’ll take our offense any day. If we can put it all together with good at-bats, I think we have a good chance this year.

“My couple years here, I’ve been impressed with guys showing up, caring and having that positive mindset each and every day. This camp does feel a little bit different. Guys are really excited. Guys are putting together really good at-bats. If we keep doing that, we might surprise some people.”

The Rockies have looked at right-hander Justin Lawrence as their closer of the future, and he’s being given every chance to hold the job when the regular season begins on March 28 against the D-backs at Chase Field.

Lawrence has teased what he can do by striking out 10 and walking just two in 6 1/3 innings over seven games. But he also carries an 11.37 ERA.

Oakland tagged him for six runs (five earned) in one-third of an inning on Saturday. Some of the five hits came off weak contact and one grounder was misplayed, though it was not ruled an error. Lawrence had turned in a scoreless appearance in four of his previous six outings, and he had held opponents to six hits in six innings.

Lawrence seems to struggle when hitters realize he’s not throwing strikes, allowing them to simply wait for a sweeper that doesn’t have its sharpest downward and glove-side break.

“When he’s right, he’s more efficient with the fastball,” Black said. “He’s getting the ball in the strike zone earlier -- pounding the strike zone with both pitches. He’s got to throw strikes.”

Tyler Kinley has pitched six scoreless innings while allowing one hit, two walks and racking up seven strikeouts this spring. Kinley stood out in a setup role in 2022 before undergoing right flexor tendon surgery. He also stepped in as the closer at the end of last season after Lawrence struggled.

Veteran closer Daniel Bard, sidelined after undergoing a clean-up procedure on his left knee and receiving PRP shots in his right forearm following last season, began throwing off a mound on Saturday. The Rockies will take their time bringing him back.

Lefty No. 1 starter Kyle Freeland has struck out 14 batters in 14 innings this spring. More importantly, he has walked just one.

“Leadoff walks kill you, walks with two outs kill you, walks late in the game kill you,” Freeland said. “Being able to limit those, stay in the strike zone, force them to swing the bat and execute pitches is going to turn out all right.”

In his last start on Saturday against the A’s, Freeland threw 71 pitches over five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.

Center fielder Brenton Doyle is putting more pitches in play this spring.

“I’m just staying inside the baseball as best I can and just trying to really drive it through the second baseman,” said the right-handed-hitting Doyle, who batted .203 with a .250 on-base percentage as a rookie last season, but is at .361 and .410, respectively, this spring. “I let my lower half do a little bit more work than I did last year [and] I’m able to stay behind the ball better.

“I’m sticking to my routine, to what gets me that swing, each and every day.”

• Black and the Rockies are discussing a potential contract extension. Read more >> 

• Cal Quantrill is on the attack this spring. Read more >>

• Prospect Drew Romo stood out at Spring Breakout. Read more >>

• A relaxed Nolan Jones is looking to take another leap in 2024. Read more >>

• Tanner Gordon is on the radar after his solid start -- which came with his parents in attendance. Read more >>

• The Rockies need Elehuris Montero to contribute with both his bat and his glove. Read more >>

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