DJ LeMahieu Will Be Here Soon

Did you know that Reid Brignac, in addition to his underwhelming .222/.271/.267 slash line, is tied for the team lead with 3 errors? For what it’s worth he is tied with former Rockies third baseman Chris Nelson with that number. Brignac had a chance with the Rockies to prove the worth of his versatility on defense, including his ability to fill in at shortstop, while hopefully rediscovering the swing that made him a second round pick back in 2004. That has not happened, and now we are almost halfway through May.

The DJ. Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

DJ LeMahieu will be here soon.

Last season LeMahieu committed 2 errors all season, good for a .994 fielding percentage. He played second and third base. If Brignac is not playing shortstop (which he’s not, with that playing time going to Jonathan Herrera), then what could he possibly have on LeMahieu to claim that roster spot?

How about offense? LeMahieu’s bat emerged last season with the Rockies when he produced to the tune of a .297/.332/.410. That does not guarantee that he will hit again this year, but his numbers with the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox seem to indicate he will:

DJ LeMahieu just extended his hitting streak to 20 games with an RBI triple. His average stands at .375.
— Brent Briggeman (@BrentBriggeman) May 12, 2013

There are certain games when the Rockies’ pinch hitting options are Jordan Pacheco, Yorvit Torrealba, Herrera and Brignac. So besides games when LeMahieu and the recently recalled Charlie Blackmon will be upgrades as spot starters, they will provide some much needed pop off the bench. I don’t know about you, but between the at-bats from Adam Ottavino and Edgmer Escalona and the helpless strikeouts from Brignac, I am ready to shake things up on the bench.

Brignac is out of minor league options, so he would have to clear waivers before the Rockies could have him play for the Sky Sox. Maybe he would because of his struggles this year. That would be gravy. Maybe he would not go unclaimed and the Rockies would lose him. That would be OK too. He had his chance to put a stranglehold on his spot and he did not get the job done.

Hopefully DJ LeMahieu really will be with the Rockies soon.

Home/Colorado Rockies News