SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies helped popularize shifting the infield based on batter tendencies. But last May 5 with a runner at first and one out in the ninth, and David Peralta batting, shortstop Trevor Story didn't move to the second-base side.
Shifting would've been so 2016.
A year earlier, again a runner at first in the first inning, the Rockies shifted and Peralta tapped a single down the left-field line. But in '17, the Rockies didn't give Peralta that option, and he pulled a double-play grounder.
Last season, the first under manager Bud Black, the Rockies looked at the data and pivoted the other direction.