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Colorado Rockies: Will DJ LeMahieu return to Colorado in Free Agency following this season?

By Paul Ashley

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) celebrates rounding first base on a walkoff home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano (66) in the 9th inning at Coors Field September 12, 2018. Rockies won 4-3. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) celebrates rounding first base on a walkoff home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano (66) in the 9th inning at Coors Field September 12, 2018. Rockies won 4-3. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DJ LeMahieu will be a free agent following the 2018 MLB regular season. He has been a mainstay for the Colorado Rockies ever since he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs.  However, the question still remains if LeMahieu will return to Colorado next season.

Prior to the 2012 MLB regular season, DJ LeMahieu and Tyler Colvin were acquired by the Colorado Rockies from the Chicago Cubs for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers.  Although LeMahieu played 37 games at the MLB level for the Cubs in 2011, he broke out in 81 games played with the Rockies the following season after posting a .297 AvG and a .742 OPS.

LeMahieu has since been a mainstay in Colorado alongside Charlie Blackmon (debut in 2011), Adam Ottavino (debut in 2012), and Nolan Arenado (debut in 2013).  To this point in his career, LeMahieu has earned two National League All-Star nominations (2015 and 2017), two Gold Gloves (2014 and 2017), and an NL Batting Title (2016).

Throughout LeMahieu’s career, he has compiled a .298 AVG and a .758 OPS in 945 games.  Out of his 945 career games, 475 have taken place at home in which he holds a .332 AVG and an .839 OPS.  This leaves 470 away games in which he holds a .263 AVG and a .672 OBP.

Although teams may be weary of his home and away splits due to playing half of his games at altitude within Coors Field, his power numbers on the road are actually similar this year to what they are at home.  This season, LeMahieu also has 11 home runs on the road compared to only 4 home runs at home.  His extra base hit totals are also better on the road this season than at home as he has 25 XBHs away from Coors Field and 23 XBHs at Coors Field.

LeMahieu also only has 253 road ABs compared to 278 home ABs, so these power numbers are not adjusted based on more chances for XBHs at home.  Due to this, alongside his Gold Glove caliber defense, opposing clubs looking for an upgrade at second base will most likely not be scared away as the ‘Coors Field power inflation’ notion is not correct with LeMahieu.

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