Rockies manager Bud Black won’t say it outright, but the truth is written all over the diamond Raimel Tapia has been tearing up.

The outfielder — with flash, web gems and a bat “con mucho swagger” — is forcing himself into a starting role with the Rockies. If the 25-year-old keeps this up, it’ll be “Tap Time”, all the time, following three seasons of part-time service and a reserve role coming into 2019.

“With the consistent at-bats lately, I’m feeling really good and comfortable in the box,” Tapia said. “Playing every day allows me to play loose, show off my defense, my offense and everything that I can contribute to this team.”

Showing off, indeed.

In his past 10 games he’s hitting .370 with two triples, three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs in 27 at-bats. He demonstrated his speed with the franchise’s 18th inside-the-park homer last Saturday, then flashed leather with a catch over the left-field railing in foul territory Tuesday.

Tapia homered in both starts, as well as in his pinch-hit appearance Monday. That made him the first player since 1963 to go deep in three consecutive games before his 300th career at-bat, after having not hit more than three total home runs in his first 250 career at-bats.

The Dominican said his surge has been keyed by slightly opening his stance.

“Last year, and at the beginning of this season, I was crossing up my approach. My front foot was closer to home, and it didn’t allow me to get to the pitch inside,” Tapia said. “I kept being late on that, and it resulted in me being underneath the away pitch, too.”

An oblique injury to left fielder David Dahl on April 9, and leg soreness that kept center fielder Ian Desmond out of action for several games starting April 16, opened a window for Tapia to play. Since then, his torrid play in combination with Desmond’s continued offensive struggles (.177 average, one homer) has pushed the highly paid veteran outfielder closer to a permanent spot on the bench.

Black, ever careful in his praise of younger players, was measured in his assessment of Tapia amid what might be an evolving Colorado outfield situation.

“(Starting) every day is a strong statement because we’re going to continue to use all our players,” Black said. “It’s a process. It’s early in his career, and it helps to do well. But … let’s not go crazy.”

Those reservations are, perhaps, fueled by the fact the club still feels the need to get productivity out of Desmond as a starter, as he’s making $15 million this year compared to Tapia’s $560,000 salary.

But more certainly, those reservations are underscored by Tapia’s lack of consistency on the small stuff over the course of his first three-plus seasons with Colorado. Whether throwing to the wrong base from the outfield or being over-aggressive on the basepaths, it’s the details of the game that have held Tapia back.

While Tapia himself acknowledges he still has room to grow in those categories, longtime teammate David Dahl pointed out the lefty’s track record as a proven hitter — in nearly 3,000 minor league at-bats, he had a .319 average.

“I’ve seen him play like this all the time, so it’s not a surprise to me,” said Dahl, who has played with Tapia since 2014. “He hits .300 at every level and it’s not by mistake. He’s a great contact hitter, and the more at-bats he gets up here, the more comfortable and the more dangerous he’s going to get.”

On Deck

Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-1, 3.55 ERA) at Braves LHP Max Fried (3-0, 1.38)

5:20 p.m. Friday, SunTrust Park

TV: AT&T SportsNet Radio: 850 AM, 94.1 FM

Senzatela, who began the season on the injured list after a so-so spring training, has become a vital part of the rotation. Though he pitched relatively well in his last start, command issues led to a high pitch count and a three-run double by Philadelphia’s Phil Gosselin cost him in the Rockies’ 8-5 loss. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA in his last six road starts. Fried has been one of baseball’s best early-season stories. In his last start he allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over 6 ⅓ innings in a win over the Indians. Fried has 18 strikeouts in 26 innings, but excellent command of his curveball and a better than average fastball make him tough. He held the Rockies to five hits and one unearned run over six innings at Coors Field on April 9.

Trending: Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with a solo home run in Wednesday’s win over Washington. He’s hitting .389 (14-for-36) over the streak. He now has scored 613 career runs, surpassing Vinny Castilla (611) for sixth-most in franchise history.

At issue: The Rockies’ pitching has been either really good … or really bad. In their 11 wins, they have given up 2.2 runs a game. In 14 losses, however, they have been scorched for 6.3 runs a game.

Upcoming pitching matchups

Saturday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (2-3, 2.78 ERA) at Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz (2019 debut), 5:20 p.m., ATTRM

Sunday: Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (0-2, 12.00) at Braves RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 3.96), 11:20 a.m., ATTRM