Being DH could help the aging former star stay on the field, while more injuries could shakeup the roster
For as long as the National League has had a designated hitter, the primary DH for the Colorado Rockies has been Charlie Blackmon.
The universal DH rule took effect in the 2022 season, and Blackmon started in 79 games in the role. He led the team with 61 DH starts in 2023 and that bumped up to 88 last season.
While Blackmon was decent, the Rockies have yet found a way to use the DH to an advantage, either with the addition of a powerful bat or a high on-base percentage hitter. It’s mostly been a way to give more rest to an aging player or give other position players a lighter load. Will that continue this year or can the Rockies find a way to leverage the position to score more runs?
In addition, as the Rockies build their identity and try to rediscover the lost art of winning, the bench will play a major role.
Outside of helping the team mitigate the injuries that come with a long MLB season each year, the Rockies are also trying to find position and role players to build around for the future. This year, the bench could provide a glimpse into whether the Rockies have found the depth and the prospects for a winning future.
The DH Frontrunner
Now that Blackmon has retired, Kris Bryant will be stepping up as the DH. The big gamble is whether or not the 33-year-old, 10-year veteran — who’s played in only 159 games over the last three years in Colorado — can stay healthy. The hopes are that by reducing the wear-and-tear of fielding, being DH can help with that.
In an interview with Ryan Spilborghs on MLB Radio on March 3, Bryant talked about preparing to be the DH, especially with his back injuries, which include chronic back pain, arthritis, and disc problems.
“Charlie did it last year and I kinda saw what he did, and Buddy [Black] told me early in the offseason that my main position would probably be DH,” Bryant said. “So just forming a routine where in between at-bats, I am not just sitting there. …The biggest thing for my back is just movement.”
Bryant had the second-most DH appearances for the Rockies in 2023 at 25 and started another 15 there last season, which was the third-most on the squad. Last season, he hit .242/.309/274 with 15 hits, two doubles and five RBI. In 2023, in 87 at-bats, he hit .207/.310/.356 with four doubles, three homers and 10 RBI. In 59 career games as a DH, Bryant is hitting .204/.285/.326 with 23 RBI, 12 doubles, five homers, 20 walks and 74 strikeouts.
If Bryant stays healthy and succeeds as DH, it could help with fans and the team’s ability to win, considering he’s entering the fourth year of his seven-year, $182 million deal.
All of Bryant’s DH numbers are below his lifetime averages of .274/.370/.485 and not even close to Blackmon’s lifetime DH averages of .262/.329/.427 or 2024 slashline of .244/.326/.401.
With hopes for improvement and more run production, the Rockies need to improve on their 2024 numbers at DH, however, as they ranked No. 13 in batting average (.244), No. 17 in on-base percentage (.306), No. 22 in RBI (69) and tied for No. 24 in homers (18).
The Next Men Up
In the event that Bryant is injured or plays in the field, as some predictions have him at right field, like MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the DH role could fall to a variety of players who need a break or to get more power in the lineup.
Jordan Beck seems to be the likely No. 2 as the Rockies have a very crowded outfield that includes Nolan Jones, Sam Hilliard and Sean Bouchard, who could also see starts at DH.
Backup catcher Hunter Goodman is also a likely candidate because of the pop he brings to the lineup.
As a great way to give players like Ryan McMahon, Michael Toglia and even Brenton Doyle a break on the field while not losing their bats, they could also see games at DH.
Signed in the offseason to a minor league contract, Nick Martini could emerge as another DH candidate, especially after a good performance so far in spring training.
The Rockies Bench
The Rockies have worked to build a deeper roster this year from pitchers to position players. With the youth movement taking hold in many positions, the Rockies opted to go for veterans as the first off the bench.
This is evident in the signing of veteran journeyman Kyle Farmer, who can play second, third and shortstop. Hilliard, who is in his seventh year in MLB and is back in Colorado after stints with the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles, is familiar with the vast surface area of the Coors Field outfield and can play in left, center and right. Goodman seems to be likely to be the No. 2 catcher and backup first baseman.
With the corner outfield spots most open for grabs, the outfield could see a rotation of starters and bench roles between Jones, Beck, Bouchard and maybe even Zac Veen (No. 4 Preason PuRP).
On the Farm
With the long MLB season, the Rockies will likely need to turn to their bench to fill spots opened by injuries or to replace struggling players. This could lead to the MLB debut of several players including outfielders Veen, Yanquiel Fernandez (No. 7 PuRP), Sterlin Thompson (No. 15 PuRP) and Benny Montgomery (No. 16 PuRP), as well as infielder Ryan Ritter (No. 17 PuRP), making their MLB debuts.
It could also mean returns to the Big Leagues after brief stints last year for players like infielder Adael Amador (No. 3 PuRP) and catcher Drew Romo.
In Case of Emergency
In the case of multiple injuries or players no performing, or perhaps even a trade, the Rockies can go deeper into their farm system with the likes of third baseman Kyle Karros (No. 12 PuRP), who is making a splash in his first spring training. Just a 2023 draft pick who stayed with High-A Spokane all of 2024, Karros could arrive sooner than planned and be ready.
Catcher/first baseman Austin Nola and infielder Owen Miller, who both signed minor league deals in the offseason, provided added depth if the Rockies decide to keep them in the system.
Cole Carrigg (No. 10 PuRP), who, like, Karros was drafted in 2023, is one of the Rockies top-rated prospects and provides extreme depth in the outfield. If all else fails, Germán Márquez said he misses hitting and could fill in at DH. The Rockies do have options.
Closing Thoughts
While looking at DH possibilities and the bench, this article could go on forever just listing the possibilities. The Rockies have depth and this is the time to test it and find out who is the team to move forward with. After six seasons of not making it anywhere near the playoffs, the Rockies need to make lineups and rosters with the future in mind.
The more you can see who fits and who doesn’t, the closer the Rockies will get to a .500 season.
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