Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado believes he's found the right approach at the plate after working hard in the offseason to correct what plagued him in 2013, per MLB.com. The results have been visible early in spring training, as Arenado is batting .455 (10 for 22) with a .773 slugging percentage through nine games.
"I worked in the offseason, tried to stay on my back leg more and recognize pitches -- that's the way you're supposed to hit," he said. "Last year, I hit that way for a bit, but I also created a bad habit that got me out in front. I'm trying to get away from that. Right now it feels good.
"'Last year, I knew I was in front. That's what got me in trouble. But it was hard to break the habit. Knowing now that I need to finish on my back leg, it's easier to feel if I popped the ball up, 'Oh, I dipped.' As long as I'm turning my hips and staying back, I believe I'll be able to figure out things a little bit quicker."
Teammate Troy Tulowitzki has high hopes for Arenado.
"I think he's going to be a big RBI guy, and he was in the minor leagues," Tulowitzki said. "If you look at his strikeout totals, they're not high. Anytime you have a young kid who's not striking out -- or anyone, they don't have to be a young kid -- they're going to be a high RBI guy."