Secret to Norby's hot start with Rox? A simple mantra: 'Don't think'

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ATLANTA -- Infielder Connor Norby’s hot offensive start with the Rockies -- including the 12-game hit streak he carried before going hitless in Friday night's 6-4 loss to the Braves -- is a manifestation of a mantra he had tattooed to his inner left wrist when he played college ball at East Carolina.

“Don’t think."

Many folks wear their mantras on their sleeve -- but in Norby’s case, his is covered by his black forearm sleeve and white batting glove.

How does one put ink into action?

Norby, a 2021 second-round Orioles pick who joined the Rockies at this year’s Trade Deadline, often struggled with changing hitting approaches, whether his own or based on coaching advice.

But in one of his first conversations with the Rockies’ hitting department, Norby essentially outsourced the thinking.

“I was like, ‘I just want to be the athlete -- I want you guys to be the brain,’” Norby said. “That way, when I step in the box, all I have to worry about is being on time. I don’t want to be the brains, too, because I’ve done that, and it’s a mess.

“We still work on things. But they’re big on this -- when you get in the box, do not think about anything that we’re working on. Do what you do and compete, because you’re here for a reason. When we get back to the cage, that’s when we can mess around and fine-tune.”

The right-handed-hitting Norby was hitting .205 when the Marlins optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville on June 25. The Rockies received Norby and right-handed pitching prospect Aiden May, a 2024 Competitive Balance Round B pick, when they sent righty reliever Victor Vodnik to the Marlins.

After the trade, Norby batted .400 in five games with Albuquerque. With the Rockies, he has been used regularly at second base but has made appearances at third base and first base.

“His name, as part of a trade discussion, didn’t pop up until the day of -- not as much research or brainstorming as we would have normally done,” Rockies general manager Josh Byrnes said. “But that’s the nature of the Deadline sometimes. But obviously, we know a lot about him, so we reacted in real time.

“He’s a high pick and he’s always hit. He did OK in the big leagues last year [.251/.300/.389 in 88 games], but he was in a numbers game with the Marlins. So we said, 'Let’s take a close look.' We made the trade, did a deeper dive into his story and were like, ‘We’re going to put our heads together to bring you the best ideas. But you’re 26, so tell us what’s worked and what hasn’t.' Then we hit the ground running.”

The Orioles made former first overall pick Jackson Holliday their second baseman, and Xavier Edwards has run with the Marlins’ job at the position. Norby had become a multi-position player to find playing time.

The transition back to full time at second base has had its lumps, but Norby expects to improve as he settles back into the footwork he learned earlier. His swing took less time.

Norby’s hot start has similarities to that of Rockies leadoff man Jake McCarthy, who last year with the Diamondbacks admittedly over-adjusted his swing to manufacture power before returning this year to what’s more comfortable.

“I’ve said [it] a bunch, but I spent the last two years being someone I wasn’t, getting away from the things I was good at,” Norby said. “Like I’ve said, there’s always going to be time to work on your weaknesses. Those don’t ever go away. But it’s when you get away from your strengths that you lose who you are.

“Right off the bat, the Rockies were like, ‘Go back and do what you were doing when you were at your best.’ For me, that’s hitting the ball the other way, using the whole field and taking my shots when I get in counts that I like.”

During Wednesday night’s 13-1 victory at Washington, Norby went 2-for-4 with three runs, a walk, his first career grand slam and an easy swing for a single through the middle against position player Jorbit Vivas with the game long decided.

That night, and from the moment Norby joined the Rockies, he did all his thinking with the bat.