With the start of the 2018 baseball season finally here, the Colorado Rockies’ roster, starting rotation and bullpen are pretty much set; however, there are still some questions surrounding Ian Desmond, the recipient of the largest per-year contract in franchise history just a couple of offseasons ago.
The Rockies signed Desmond to a five-year, $70-million-dollar contract ahead of the 2017 season with the intent to play him at first base, but after a series of injuries, which contributed to a down performance in his first season in the Mile High City, there is a sense of confusion that has been cast over Desmond and how he will be utilized moving forward.
A shortstop in his time as a member of the Washington Nationals, where he was an All-Star and three-time Sliver Slugger, Desmond transitioned to the outfield in 2016 with Texas, earning an All-Star nod there, as well. Desmond has played a decent amount in the outfield (67 games in 2017) since signing with the Rockies, while also trying to learn how to play first base (27 games).
The emergence of 23-year-old first/third baseman Ryan McMahon, who this season made his first Opening Day roster, and the impending free agency of outfielders Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez, have left Desmond somewhat in limbo.
In speaking with Desmond throughout Spring Training, it seems there has been little to no clarification given to him regarding his position on the field and his anticipated playing time in the coming season. For his part, Desmond is preparing to be shifted around the diamond often throughout the year.
“I don’t really know,” Desmond said during Spring Training when asked if he believes he will play more first base or left field. “That hasn’t really been made clear, you know, how that’s going to be divided up, but you have to imagine the whole objective of the offseason was to shorten the starters’ outings which means theirs going to be more pinch-hitting, more positional changes, so I would probably say there will be games where I play five innings in left, five innings at first, five innings in left, five innings at first. I think I’ll probably do that quite a bit because we don’t really have that veteran bat off the bench.”
Desmond has grown accustomed to shifting positions throughout his career and explained that doing so again this year will not be a problem as he tries to find a suitable home with Colorado.
“When I signed here I thought there would be one position one year, then maybe another position another year, but I’m open to moving around,” he explained. “I don’t mind. That’s something I feel like I could get good at and make it like that’s a position.
“I’m really trying to continue to learn both left and first base so I can be a help to the team. Those are both still new to me, so I’m trying to get my work in at both of those [positions,” he said.
Desmond’s spot in the field is not the only thing in question entering the year as there has also been little clarity on where the 32-year-old will hit in the lineup.
“You would like to have one consistent thing,” he said. “Maybe if I don’t have a position [in the field] then I can know where I’m going to hit in the lineup. Our lineup is so good. There’s not a bad spot in it. So it doesn’t really matter.”
Desmond hit towards the bottom of the lineup last season, mainly in the fifth and sixth spots; however, the Rockies tinkered with his place in the order throughout the spring. He spent a lot of time hitting leadoff as Manager Bud Black toyed with the idea of moving Blackmon to third in the lineup. Desmond believes he is capable of hitting leadoff, but was not expecting to be called upon to fill that role, especially with Blackmon, who has been one of the best leadoff hitters in the sport over the past few seasons, still on the roster.
“In the offseason to think I would be hitting leadoff, I probably wouldn’t have expected that after hitting fifth, sixth all of last year,” He said. “It’s not like I’m getting younger. I think I can do it. I think I have a career sub-.320 on-base percentage so, you know, having Chuck who’s got like a .500 on-base percentage for his career, then going to me, I feel like it would be a little bit of a disappointment for the fans, but I’ve done it before, and I’ve been on winning teams where I’ve led off, so it’s a different approach, but I think if you win games you win games.”
Desmond is ready to rebound in 2018 and wants to help push the Rockies back into the postseason for a second consecutive season. He hit .274 with 40 RBI in 339 at-bats in his first season in Colorado. Desmond will need to pick up his offensive production this season if he wants to earn consistent playing time; however, not having a clearly defined role both in the field and at the plate may make it challenging for him to settle into a groove.
