Brendan Rodgers was once seen as the future of the Colorado Rockies. A top-three draft pick with big expectations, he played his entire career in Colorado—until now. Rodgers has signed a one-year minor league contract with the Houston Astros, leaving behind the hitter-friendly Coors Field. And the signing has raised some eyebrows.

At the outset, this seems like a questionable decision. Coors Field is known for assisting offensive numbers, so why leave? For Rodgers, the answer is simple—he believes it held him back.

Playing half his games in Denver’s thin air meant dealing with unusual pitch movement. Curveballs didn’t curve as much, and fastballs didn’t dip as much. That climate may have provided him with a distorted sense of how pitches move closer to sea level. Now, he’s hoping for a do-over in Houston’s more neutral environment, allowing him to realize his full potential.

“I’ve been a sea-level hitter my whole life, until I got to Coors,” the Floridian said. “I think going there maybe once a year, instead of playing 80 games, I think it’s going to benefit me — just picking up spin and knowing where my swing needs to start and where my swing needs to be.”

Rodgers has had his moments of brilliance with a registered career .266 batting average. But significant shoulder problems in 2020 and 2023 have prevented him from consistently playing at the highest level. Winning a Gold Glove Award in 2022 at second base has been a career highlight for him.

The timing also seems to be working out for him in Houston. With the current second baseman potentially shifting to the outfield, Rodgers might get the opportunity to play a bigger role. He will be competing with Mauricio Dubón and Luis Guillorme for playing time, though. And he has the support of manager Joe Espada: “He’s always been a good hitter, regardless of where he’s playing.”

Rodgers’ search for validation could very likely end in Houston-“The goal is to make the team. That’s step one.”

Infield flexibility could be key for the Astros

Alex Bregman’s departure to the Boston Red Sox has set in motion some strategic changes in the Astros’ infield. José Altuve, the heart of Houston’s lineup for more than a decade, will likely be spending more time in the outfield as slugger Yordan Alvarez takes on a full-time designated hitter role. The new faces at first and third base, Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes, are already impressing with their performances.

Manager Espada is aware of the importance of positional flexibility in the squad. Employing high-caliber players who can move freely across the field gives the team more possibilities, making it difficult for the other team to plan their strategy against them. Rodgers’ flexibility slots in perfectly into the strategy.

The Astros aren’t merely filling vacancies this season. They are building towards an all-weather team that can persevere. A 162-game schedule is grueling enough without the added bumps of injuries, slumps, and matchups. Adding depth to the lineup with players like Rodgers, who have the demonstrated ability to perform in different roles, is certainly a step in the right direction.

Ultimately, for Rodgers, this is another chance to prove his mettle. This move could put him on the path to becoming a Houston legend. And if that happens, the Astros might have found a hidden gem in their infield shuffle.