One of the most valid criticisms of the 2018 Colorado Rockies, especially as Ian Desmond struggled mightily at the plate through the first two months of the season, was their decision not to bring back first baseman Mark Reynolds who had been a borderline All-Star for the club the year before.
Apparently, that decision did not sour the relationship between the Rox and Reynolds.
“Everyone in here is almost like a family,” says Reynolds. “It was weird not being in here. But, now we’re back. We’re definitely going to miss DJ, CarGo and Parra, all those guys. We’ve still got Nolan and Story, Chuck and Desi, Dahl. Still a good group of dudes. If you think about it, we’re around guys in here more than we’re around our families, so you want to get along with them anyways or else you’d be miserable. It was an easy decision”
Reynolds has returned to the club on a minor league contract with a probability that he will make the Opening Day roster in a bench role.
He said he expects, “some spot starting opportunities, filling in, stuff like that. But I figured if I take that role I might as well do it with a team that knows me and I know them and everyone is comfortable with everybody.”
Reynolds will need to perform in spring to win that job, but his experience, not to mention his combination of power and on-base skills and the Rockies lack of suitable options at primary pinch-hitter, should give him the upper hand.
And, he says, if he doesn’t win the job, he might just call it a day.
“I’m not interested in going to Triple-A at this point in my career,” he said. “I’ve got a lot more going on at home with missing kids baseball game and tournaments and being around family. It’s a lot more important than trying to grind out at Triple-A. I’m here to get a ring, that’s why I’m here. I’d also like to get six more homers at some point. That’s one of my goals, to get here and make that happen.”
If he manages those six homers, he will become the first player in MLB history with 300 and no major awards or even an All-Star appearance.
Also, that scenario would likely mean he is serving the team well and helping produce wins. He is also trying to make himself as available as possible on defense, a more and more valuable characteristic in the modern National League.
“Anywhere… Infield, outfield, wherever. I told Nolan, ‘Watch out.’ I’ll go anywhere they want me to,” he laughed. “I’m going to try to take reps anywhere they want me in spring. Be as much as a Swiss Army knife to Buddy as I can be. Give him enough options so I can be in there.”
His clear respect for the man the Rockies have set to play first base means he knows most of his use will be off the bench. And the respect goes both ways.
“He can hit,” he said of Daniel Murphy. “I can tell you that. Really good hitter. Loves to hit the ball in the air, so that’s good for Denver. He’s a professional. I think he struck out something ridiculous, like nine times, something crazy. I do that in a week. He’s really impressive. His approach to hitting in the cages, his mechanisms he uses to get his swing where he wants it. I think a lot of guys can learn from him around here and about his thoughts and approach to hitting.”
A lot of guys can learn from Reynolds as well.
And it looks like we are all going to get a chance to learn what he’s got left and if he can emerge as a valuable player and leader on a team looking to win their first ever division title.
