David Dahl remains cornerstone of Rockies' plan despite down year

Last week at the annual Winter Meetings, Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich gave away one of the essential parts to his plan. That plan’s destination is the World Series but the plan itself has a player who didn’t play a single game in the bigs as a cornerstone of it.

Enter left fielder David Dahl.

Dahl had a breakout rookie season in 2016, slashing .315/.359/.480 with seven homers, 24 RBI in just 63 games. He provided a spark in the form of consistency through his bat, speed and deft glove.

The issue is that Dahl has not swung a bat since July 31 or played in a Rockies uniform since Spring Training. Sidelined in the spring with what was initially thought to be slight back pain, his injury problems morphed into stress reactions in Dahl’s ribcage and his 2017 season disappeared.

Dahl’s injury may have haunted Colorado’s sweet 2017 in some ways but if he can reemerge in 2018 the Rockies are in business.

Here’s how:

First, Dahl has to be healthy. Manager Bud Black told a scrum of reporters, “David’s got to prove that he’s healthy. That’s first and foremost. He’s got to come to spring training and play.”

Dahl will take his first hacks next month at the Salt River complex in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“If you assume that David Dahl is going to come back to normal, and his ability to perform comes along with that, then I think we have some experience, some veteran performers and guys who can defend,” Bridich shared last week.

That’s a big assumption considering how iffy Dahl’s injury was last year and how long it’s taken him to come back from what at first wasn’t serious. Yet he’s clearly the most talented left fielder on the roster and the production he could provide the Rockies over the course of 500 plate appearances is invaluable.

Not only would he clearly be Colorado’s starting left fielder if he is playing to his capability but he most likely would be Nolan Arenado’s main protection, batting cleanup.

Dahl actually profiles well to slide in between Arenado and the five spot which would most likely be Trevor Story if the season started today. The right-left-right power of the three is serious and provides valuable run-producing ability to the already highly flammable Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu at the top.

Therein lies why Dahl remains a cornerstone for the Rockies. With only one year and seven days worth of service time, the Alabama native with oodles of talent is entering his age 24 season. This isn’t just the bat for next season but the big bat Colorado needs moving forward, the left-handed power that can replace the stick of Carlos Gonzalez.

Dahl fits Bridich’s model as a hitter too. Gap-to-gap power with hard-hit line drives and speed to boot.

Clearly, Dahl’s bat was missing and relied upon in 2017. Colorado lacked offense and more importantly length in their lineup until the acquisition of Jonathan Lucroy and the hot streak of CarGo late in the year.

Dahl was the lost piece last year and the Rockies found a way to still make the postseason. This year he needs to show up because it doesn’t look like the club will sign or trade for a starting caliber corner outfielder to fill the cleanup spot.

Dahl is capable, the question is health and rust after missing almost an entire year of baseball. The Rockies are making a huge gamble but it’s one necessary given how bad they need a closer and how much that will cost.