Rockies’ Nolan Jones: “It’s been a mental and physical battle for me this year”

Nolan Jones never saw this season coming.

Not after what he did in 2023 when he became the first Rockies rookie to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. He also led the majors and set a franchise record with 19 outfield assists.

“It’s been a physical and mental battle for me this year, and I’m trying to stay positive and know that my time is coming,” Jones said. “I’m going to try and get back out there soon.”

On Tuesday night, Jones took a small step in the right direction, going 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in a rehab game at Low-A Fresno.

Jones has been on the injured list twice. He missed 41 games early in the season because of a low back strain followed by a sprained knee. He returned to the IL on July 12 when his back injury flared up again.

Yet even when Jones has been on the field, he hasn’t produced the way he did last season when he slashed .297/.389/.542 in 106 games and finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Limited to 49 games this season, he’s slashed .202/.311/.313 with three homers and three stolen bases. His strikeout rate has risen from 29.7% to 33.0%, while his home run rate has fallen from 4.7% to 1.6%.

Jones, 26, understands that this is just a one-season setback. Still, he finds it “frustrating.”

“It’s not easy to look at it like it’s just one season,” Jones said. “You try to, but it’s not easy. I felt like I worked as hard as I possibly could this offseason to set myself up for another successful year.

“It’s just frustrating not being out there on the field with the guys and having to just watch.”

Jones admits that he sometimes puts too much pressure on himself, and he knows that can be counterproductive.

So does manager Bud Black.

“It’s admirable that Nolan (tries so hard),” Black said. “The expectation level of all professional athletes is high, and they want to be big contributors. He was last year.

“Nolan’s expectation was to truly add to what happened last year. He got off to a rough start, and that pressure builds when you are a young player trying to establish yourself the next year.”

Success can put extra weight on a young player’s shoulders, Black said.

“You’re reading your name, you’re seeing some of the things you do statistically, and it just compounds itself,” Black said. “I think (Jones) just has to take a step back and go back to being who he is and letting his talents show. Just start playing a relaxed brand of baseball.”

Jones’ back and knee injuries have made that difficult.

“The back got him, and then the knee sprain,” Black said. “It just got real bumpy, so we’ve got to smooth him out.”

Jones said trying to play catchup has compounded his struggles.

“Chasing is not a spot you want to be in,” he said. “I’ve felt myself in that spot a couple of times this year. I felt like I was starting to settle in, and then my back flared up again.

“It’s a year of learning for me but it’s not the way I wanted it. I wanted to be on the field for 162 games, and whether it was great or terrible, I wanted to learn that way.

“It’s just a different role for me right now. It’s about how I can help my teammates when I’m not out there. How can I learn, get prepared, and set myself up for future success? But I’m going to figure this out.”

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