DENVER -- Trevor Story made his name as power hitter immediately upon breaking in with the Rockies in 2016. He has also earned such descriptions as All-Star (two times) and highlight-capable defender at shortstop.

After Story went 2-for-5 in the Rockies’ 9-4 loss Friday night at Coors Field, he has earned a description he loves -- .300 hitter. Story’s ascension to that mark included his first career first-inning leadoff homer (off Pirates starter Dario Agrazal) and a double.

Advanced stats have pushed batting average down a few pegs in evaluation. Story, 26, does well in current-flavor stats -- tops in the National League and third in the Majors among shortstops in slugging percentage (.563) and OPS (.926). But Story was cherishing hits and a dirty uniform long before the data revolution.

“It’s a goal of mine, for sure,” said Story, who batted atop the order for a third straight game in manager Bud Black’s current experiment. “But I don’t think you achieve those goals by worrying too much about them. I’ve said it so many times. I just really stay within my routine, my process and my preparation.”

Just a couple years ago, those who took a cursory look at traditional stats likely would not have pegged Story as someone capable of a .300 average with only a month left in the season. In 2017, he led the NL with 191 strikeouts and batted .239. But there was reason to believe Story could improve as an overall hitter and maintain his power. He leads the Rockies with 140 strikeouts this year, but that’s because he will not sacrifice his best swing just to avoid a whiff.

“Just experience is really the key thing for me, learning how to attack guys,” Story said. “Different type of guys have different plans of attack. It’s all about little adjustments in this game.”