2015 Rockies MVP: DJ LeMahieu

Aug 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Guys, how much do we love DJ LeMahieu? As far as I’m concerned, he gets a gold star for his 2015 performance.

The Rockies haven’t given us much to love this season, but that’s almost always the case. We’re at the point in the year when I start looking to other teams to create stretch run excitement for myself. This year, I’m loving watching what the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Mets are doing. I hope they all make the playoffs. The Rockies’ magic number (15) means nothing; they are out of the postseason and we all know it. At the end of August, I usually feel like I’m coming out of a cave into this brilliantly-lit place where people are playing good baseball, and I realize I’ve forgotten what it looks like. It’s a pretty depressing feeling.

I also find myself trying to look on the bright side of what the Rockies have done. Even if they’re playing garbage baseball, there are always some players or games or moments that stand out. For me, those have consistently been delivered by DJ LeMahieu. He’s also quite an unexpected hero.

Remember how much we all used to love Ian Stewart? Man, did that guy have potential. Of course, he never managed to reach that potential, and then he started doing dumb stuff on Twitter, and now he’s pretty much not in baseball. I kind of feel bad for him, but I also think he brought it on himself. In any case, even if LeMahieu had been the only piece we got in exchange, it would have been a win. We also had a good year out of Tyler Colvin, so we definitely won.

This is about LeMahieu though. He does not lead the team in WAR (he’s third behind Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez). He’s still my MVP for the 2015 season, and here are three reasons why.