BSN Exclusive: The new coach the Rockies are already falling in love with

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Colorado Rockies had, by all accounts, a relatively quiet offseason in between their exhilarating 2018 campaign and the upcoming 2019 one filled with so much promise.

They let some of the most recognizable and talented players in the history of the franchise leave in free agency, mostly to the New York Yankees, and made only one big splashy player acquisition with the signing of All-Star Daniel Murphy.

But, as we wrote in December just after it happened, it may well end up the case that the most important move of the winter was bringing in a hitting coach with a resume longer (and more impressive) than anyone else who has ever held that job in Colorado.

For too long, the fact that Rockies hitters could always put up at least decent overall numbers as a unit, thanks in part to Coors Field, masked some of the most difficult and unique challenges the team faces.

After arguably their worst season at the plate a year ago, the club made it clear that these issues must be addressed. Shortly thereafter, they made it clear that Dave Magadan might just be the perfect man to address them.

“I think Dave has a nice way about him as far as his ability to communicate with each guy,” says manager Bud Black. “There’s a strong knowledge base and a strong understanding of hitting fundamentals that he passes on.”

But what you know can matter very little if you aren’t effective at communicating it to others.

“I think the way he teaches is very conducive to learning,” Black continued. “I think with all great teachers, there has to be a connection with your students. And I think he has that. He’s a guy coming in with a great deal of credibility.”

His students concur and that credibility is resonating not just with the young, presumably slightly more impressionable players, but with veterans who already have Silver Sluggers and batting titles on their mantles.

“It’s great,” Charlie Blackmon says of his budding relationship with Magadan. “He has a lot of experience and there’s a lot to learn from him. I think we’ll have a lot more to learn once we get into the season”

Those sentiments were echoed by Daniel Murphy who is in a bit of a “getting to know you” mode with most of the organization. “I’ve enjoyed the work that we’ve been able to do,” he says, “And I think that it will just continue to get better as we get into a more consistent routine.”

But already there was something specific that caught the eye of the famously-meticulous Murphy. “I think Dave has been really well prepared every day,” he added. “Spring training is not an easy time to be prepared and give guys accurate scouting reports with as many pitchers as he needs to be on top of but he has. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Of course, it will be the younger guys still trying to make their way and prove themselves at the MLB level who will be seeking out Magadan’s wisdom most often.

Players like David Dahl and Ryan McMahon could maximize this relationship straight into their first All-Star caliber seasons at the plate.

“I like him a lot,” says Dahl. “I like how he helps with approach. I like the drills we’re doing in the cages. I’m really meshing well with him. I’m excited for this year.”

And he’s not alone.

“Love him, man, the guy has no ego,” says McMahon. “He’s just a genuine person and it feels like he’s literally just here for us. As players, that’s all you can ask for.”

McMahon, who is blistering this spring to the best offensive stats in baseball, has already begun to see some positive results from his conversations with the new hitting coach.

“In the cages, he’s great,” he added. “The way that he’s talked to me, he just gives me little tidbits and that’s what I need. I don’t need a whole lot of information. I need one thing that I can go up there and do. In the brief spring that we’ve had together, he’s done that for me a couple of times and it’s paid off. I really really have enjoyed working with him so far.”

There is a reason Magadan has been so highly sought after for most of his career, Black reminds us.

“You look across the landscape of coaches in the big leagues, there’s all sorts of paths to get there. There’s over 200 coaches and a lot of them might not have big league experience and done it for years but he has. And that tells you how good he is. You retain your job and you get jobs because you’re good and that’s happened.

This is what has allowed him to step onto a team with back-to-back postseason appearances and plenty of established hitters and immediately command both respect and attention.

“We really hit it off and have been able to connect,” says Ian Desmond.  “We just keep open lines of communication. It’s been nice to have him here.”

The Colorado Rockies have ratcheted up expectations for themselves each of the past few years, and much in the same way the acquisition of Murphy may have been more about the games in September and October than the games from April-August, Magadan appears to be here for that next stage.

“He had a great career as a player,” says Black. “[He’s been] a longtime hitting coach, a successful hitting coach in a World Series… he’s a playoff team hitting coach.”