Colorado Rockies Calling Up Prized Prospect David Dahl

The Colorado Rockies team of the future is getting a little bit closer to reality, as the club will reportedly add one of their top prospects to the big league roster Monday.

Denver Post Rockies Reporter Nick Groke is reporting that the team will add outfielder David Dahl to the Major League Baseball roster Monday for the start of their series against the Baltimore Orioles at Orioles Park at Camden Yards. The Rockies will reportedly designate Brandon Barnes for assignment to clear a roster spot for Dahl.

Dahl is widely considered the Rockies best outfield prospect (and one of their top prospects period). Baseball America ranked Dahl as the 39th-best prospect in minor league baseball before the start of the season, while MLB.com had him ranked 46th.

After being sidelined for most of last season following a nasty outfield collision, Dahl has returned in 2016 and torn the cover of the ball. In the 16 games he played with Triple-A Albuquerque, Dahl hit an astounding .484.

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Dahl was selected 10th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala. The 22-year old has primarily played center field in his minor league career, but could also play a corner outfield spot.

As such, Dahl’s promotion will surely stoke rumors of trades for Carlos Gonzalez and/or Charlie Blackmon. There’s no guarantee that will actually happen of course, but the Colorado Rockies definitely aren’t bringing Dahl up to stick him on the bench.

So what does this mean for Barnes? Being designated for assignment means that, within 10 days, Barnes must either be returned to the 40-man roster, traded, placed on waivers for the purpose of outrighting him to the minor leagues, released (after he has cleared waivers), or outrighted to the minors.

Next: Why Denny Valencia Could Be a Great Addition for the Rockies

Barnes has a .220 batting average this season with no homers and eight RBI. He entered Sunday with just four hits in his last 25 at-bats.