Doyle bounces off fence and back into Rockies’ plans

Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle lies on the warning track, after running into the fence while pursuing a home run byMiami Marlins' Jorge Soler, during the May 25 game's ninth inning in Denver, Colo. Courtesy photo
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Brenton Doyle, the former Shepherd University baseball player and current member of the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball’s National League, was chasing a long fly ball near the centerfield fence in his home ball park.
Doyle leaped against the barrier and had the baseball in his glove, before colliding with the fence. When his gloved hand came in contact with the top of the fence he dropped the baseball and it fell into the outfield bleachers. Not only was it a home run but Doyle crumbled to the warning track surface in obvious pain.
He had suffered a bruised knee and contusions and was carted off in a cart to get medical attention.
In the aftermath of the fence’s winning decision against Doyle came several days of off-field recovery, but no time spent on the injury list.
Doyle returned for the first time this past Sunday, as a late-inning defensive replacement in center field, but did not have an at-bat in the Rockies 11-10 win over the New York Mets.
Since being recalled from Class AAA Albuquerque in April, Doyle has been starting about five games a week in center field. His most positive offensive statistic shows him with seven stolen bases in seven attempts. He had two home runs in one game and has been a standout defensive performer with his eye-catching speed and reliable throwing arm.
After being called to the majors by the Rockies, Doyle had appeared in the 26 games before play began this week. In 75 at-bats, he had 18 hits, had scored 14 runs and showed three doubles, a triple and four home runs with 14 RBIs. His batting average was .240.
Doyle turned 25 in early May, after his Major League Baseball debut.
His running speed, defensive acumen in center field and overall athleticism have been the attributes that have propelled him into the big leagues.
Colorado seems to have overcome its usual slow start to the season, and has been playing about .500 baseball for the last month.
Doyle and the Rockies will come east to play the Washington Nationals in a three-game series on July 24-26. And Colorado returns this way to play the Baltimore Orioles in another three-game set from August 25-27.
Colorado won’t be back in Pittsburgh, Pa. or Philadelphia, Pa. again in the 2023 season.
Signed by the Rockies in the fourth round of the June of 2019 free agent draft, Doyle has advanced to the Majors after stops at Grand Junction, Colo.; Spokane, Wash.; New Haven, Conn.; and then this spring at Albuquerque, N.M.
Only rarely does any player from an NCAA Division II school like Shepherd get drafted — especially in the fourth round like Doyle — and just as rarely does a NCAA Division II player ever reach into the regal air of the Major Leagues.