For most of the offseason, we’ve been left to our own speculative devices when it comes to projecting the Colorado Rockies 2019 roster and lineup.
Though we’ve been able to use a solid combination of deductive reasoning and a bit of sourced information to make educated guesses, the first few days of spring camp have brought some clarification and confirmation of what we are likely to see, at least to begin the campaign.
Based on comments Bud Black has made in the past few days, BSN Denver is predicting the following standard lineup and defensive positioning for each starter:
1. Charlie Blackmon (RF)
2. Daniel Murphy (1B)
3. Nolan Arenado (3B)
4. Trevor Story (SS)
5. David Dahl (LF)
6. Ian Desmond (CF)
7. Ryan McMahon (2B)
8. Chris Iannetta (C)
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When BSN Denver asked Black about the possibility of Dahl in the leadoff spot, the manager certainly didn’t dismiss the thought but rather than go into some specifics about how he might be a good fit, elected to note that lots of players could eventually make sense batting first.
These things are always fluid, but the reluctance to separate Dahl from a pack that included Trevor Story and Daniel Murphy suggests that the young outfielder has quite the uphill battle if he wants to unseat Blackmon atop the order.
The fifth spot in the lineup for Dahl is by no means a terrible place to be, though. He provides a nice bit of protection for Story and, while it’s a bit unusual to have the tandem in the middle rather than the top, having their three best speed guys in a row allows each of those skills to play up.
Story’s spot allows him to serve as the best possible lineup protection option for Arenado who has often had to play without such support in his career.
This also creates an interesting element where the club’s three best speed guys (Story, Dahl, Desmond) will bat in a row allowing that skill to play up for each and cause a different kind of tactic for opposing pitchers to contend with as the Rockies get deeper into the lineup.
The one spot we feel least confident about is, of course, second base which appears to be mostly wide open at this point, but McMahon is a clear favorite going into spring training.
The other dynamic of this setup that might seem odd is having Blackmon in right field when Dahl has the stronger arm. But it seems the Rockies are prioritizing the few throws that matter over the course of a season less than the unique challenges that come with the spot on the field Cory Sullivan recently told us was the most difficult to play at Coors Field.
For more on how this all might fit together, check out this episode of the BSN Rockies podcast.
Ultimately, the Rockies aren’t taking a ton of chances with this alignment of players with the possible exception of Desmond in center field, though it might be wise to hold off judgment on that until we all get a look.
And that is really where we are at with all of this now, which is good because they are about to start playing games. It’s all an idea right now, things tend to change once reality starts to play out.
To combine quotes from American philosophers John Steinbeck and Mike Tyson, “The best-laid plans of mice and men are great until you get hit in the mouth.”
