Colorado Rockies: David Dahl’s lost season
By Jason Burke
The Colorado Rockies have been in playoff contention all season, and that’s even without David Dahl, who has been out for the entire year after suffering a rib injury during the spring.
The youth movement is coming. Heck, a lot of minor league talent has trickled up to the big leagues this season and is a big part of the reason why the Colorado Rockies have held a Wild Card spot for much of 2017. David Dahl, who debuted last season, has been missing from day one, however.
Last season Dahl went from the homeless Hartford Yard Goats to tearing up Triple-A to starting his career with a record-tying 17-game hit streak. This season he has gone from trainer’s room to trainer’s room to being on the field, to back in the trainer’s room.
From July 12 to July 31, Dahl spent time split between Hi-A Lancaster and Triple-A Albuquerque, batting a combined .260 with a .296 OBP. That’s the only game action he’s seen in 2017.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
The 23-year-old outfielder talked to the Denver Post on Saturday, saying, “I was hoping I could help the Rockies this year, because I wanted to contribute to the good things going on up there. It’s been a very frustrating season, to be sure, but I have to accept it as part of the game. It just makes me want to come back stronger next spring.”
With Carlos Gonzalez set to hit free agency following this season, there will be a spot opened up for Dahl to begin 2018, depending on where he is in his rehabilitation and what moves the Rockies make this winter. With Raimel Tapia, Charlie Blackmon and a surprising Gerardo Parra already on the roster, it doesn’t appear as though the outfield would need a huge outside upgrade. Ian Desmond could even find himself in that mix as well.
Throughout his professional career, David Dahl has been an every-other year player when it comes to injuries. The good news for him and the Rockies is that this season has been his down year, so next year he should be ready to contribute to the big-league squad.
When healthy, Dahl could be compared to Boston’s Andrew Benintendi, who is sure to rack up some Rookie of the Year votes this season. In his first full season with the Red Sox, Benintendi is batting .280 with a .362 OBP, 19 homers, 74 RBI and 18 stolen bases. While Dahl will likely hit for a higher average, the two will end up with similar on-base percentages with Benintendi drawing more walks.
Next: Astros have a postseason state of mind
With another year of experience from the pitching staff and one of their top young stars returning to the lineup, the Colorado Rockies should be primed to remain in contention next year, and beyond.