Stop staring at me as if I’m crazy. The question is as valid as any as the first-place Rockies try to find some answer to their lingering problem at first base.
Rookie Ryan McMahon hasn’t been the solution — at least not yet — and the $70 million anchor that’s strapped to Ian Desmond’s plant foot is still keeping him from getting out of the batter’s box. As much as I appreciate the guy’s two base knocks last night to creep his batting average closer .200 (which its been below since April 13) and tying a season-best four-game hitting streak, I don’t think anyone in Colorado is close to being sold that Desmond works at first base. It’s going to take more convincing he can swing a bat with some consistency.
But do you know who can hit?
David Dahl.
Do you know who the Rockies struggle to find a regular spot in the outfield rotation for?
David Dahl.
Despite his relative limited time in the major leagues, Dahl, the Rockies 2012 first-round draft pick, has been one of Colorado’s most consistent hitters. His injuries are well documented, missing the entire 2017 season as a result, but he constantly battles through, even hitting a pinch-hit home run Tuesday despite being held out of the starting lineup with a bone bruise.
In 32 games this season, Dahl is hitting .274 with four home runs and 13 RBIs, and has a career batting average of .304. Meanwhile, Desmond is cranking balls around the park at a whopping .196 clip and has only 13 more hits in 104 more at-bats than Dahl.
Now, a quick online search of Dahl’s past doesn’t return any infield history, but given he’s a former 10th overall pick, chances are he played a some back in his little league days — there’s no way someone with MLB potential gets being wasted on picking dandelions in the outfield of an Alabama sandlot. Can he channel any of that and flash some reasonable leather at first? It’s not as if he has to do that much maneuvering for errant throws — he has all-star caliber players around the diamond in Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu.
Colorado’s team batting average, despite a recent uptick in run production, is .238, ranking 21st in MLB. Meanwhile, Dahl’s .274 average is sixth on the team behind Arenado, Noel Cuevas, LeMahieu, Blackmon and Gerardo Parra; the Rockies need his bat. And sure, we could argue whether he should be the everyday right fielder ahead of Carlos Gonzalez, but the Rockies’ depth in the outfield mixed with CarGo’s defense make that discussion moot.
The Rockies need an everyday spot for Dahl. You want to tell me trying him at first is that crazy of an idea?
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on tap?
- MLB: Rockies off
- NBA: Cavaliers at Warriors, 7 p.m., ABC
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
MLB: Giants 7, Rockies 4
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NHL: Capitals 3, Golden Knights 2
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Must-Read
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Why does Jon Gray have to make everything so darn hard? And nothing is harder than watching him pitch. It requires sliding a hand over your face to peek through fingers, full of trepidation for the next mess made by the Rockies’ alleged ace. Read more…
Rockies podcast: KOA broadcaster Jerry Schemmel talks baseball along with a team breakdown
This week Rockies beat writer Patrick Saunders sits down with KOA broadcaster Jerry Schemmel to discuss the team. Saunders and colleague Kyle Newman give analysis on strengths, concerns, and postseason prognosis for Colorado heading into the summer. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ DeMarcus Ware visits Broncos’ OTAs as guest instructor.
+ Broncos lose linebacker Deiontrez Mount to torn Achilles.
+Valor Christian downs Pueblo West for third consecutive Class 4A state baseball title
+ Northern Colorado Bears basketball adds guard Trent Harris.
+There are some concerns through the first third of the Rockies’ season. Team chemistry isn’t one of them
+ Kyle Freeland’s fiery nature gives Colorado Rockies a lift.
+With help from purple prosthetic hand, Hailey Dawson continues her first-pitch tour of major league ballparks
+Tiger Woods gets compliment on his swing from Jack Nicklaus during practice round at Muirfield Village
+ How to to add to your tackle box.
+ The latest Colorado fishing report.
By The Numbers
1960
Jack Nicklaus recalls time he bet on himself at Cherry Hills during 1960 U.S. Open
“The only wager I ever had was the 1960 U.S. Open,” Nicklaus said. “It was a month before I was getting married. I was the U.S. Amateur champion and my dad said, ‘Hey, they got you at 35-1. You want some of that?’ I said, ‘I’ll have $20.’ He said, ‘You want place and show?’ I said, ‘I’m not here to place and show.’” Read more…
Parting Shot
Cleveland Browns player offers to buy retweeters a jersey if the Cavs win the NBA Finals. It’s at 745,000 retweets. And climbing.
Newly acquired Cleveland Browns safety Damarious Randall tweeted out Monday that he would buy everyone who retweeted him a jersey if the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
