Rockies: Reassessing the Colorado outfield depth

By Bill Pivetz | Jun 27, 2017

Jun 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rockies placed outfielder Carlos Gonzalez on the 10-day DL. How does this impact the Rockies outfield depth and fantasy going forward?

The Colorado Rockies have had some issues around their outfield since the offseason. The team signed Ian Desmond but said that he would play first base, considering they already had an abundance of outfielders. Now, just a few months later, the team has three outfielders on the DL and had to move some pieces around.

The Rockies expected starting outfielders were Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl with Desmond at first. That rotation has yet to play even a game together. That is mostly due to Dahl not putting on his uniform at all this season.

Desmond also missed the first month of the season. As a result, the Rockies signed veteran Mark Reynolds to take over first base. With Reynolds success, Desmond has played a majority of his games in left field since returning from injury, 40 to 11.

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Just a couple of days ago, utility outfielder Gerardo Parra found himself on the DL with a strained right quadriceps. He is likely to return by the first week of July. Gonzalez was the newest Rockies outfielder to land on the DL.

Gonzalez was placed on the 10-day DL with a sore right shoulder and is without a clear timetable for a recovery. He has been struggling this season, hitting .221 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 68 games. As a fourth-round pick, he’s been a big disappointment.

According to Roster Resource, the Rockies outfield depth chart will be Desmond in left field, Blackmon in center and Raimel Tapia in right. Tapia is hitting .271 with four RBI and 13 runs scored in 59 at-bats.

Blackmon is all but likely untouchable in your fantasy league. Desmond is still out there in 20 percent of ESPN leagues, but he isn’t showing the same power he displayed in previous years, and we all thought the move to Coors Field would help him. Tapia has been added in some leagues. He is getting the playing time but doesn’t provide enough to stand out as a waiver add.

The update for those owners that drafted and kept Dahl rostered is not good. There is still has no timetable for his return. CBS Sports (h/t Rotowire) reported that “Dahl’s ribs are gradually improving and he hasn’t suffered a recent setback.” With the All-Star break right around the corner, his return date doesn’t look like it will be before August 1.

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Colorado is keeping up with the hot Los Angeles Dodgers as they sit just 4.5 games back in the division. This is surprising considering the multiple injuries the team has faced recently. I think Gonzalez is a buy-low option while his owners want to dump his poor numbers. Dahl is the big question mark. I would drop him if you are still holding on.

The Rockies outfield, and offense as a whole, was expected to be this dominant trio but haven’t lived up to the fantasy projections so far.

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