Colorado Rockies: Examining the worst-case injury scenarios

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MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies is hit by a pitch in the fifth inning during the game between the Miami Marlins and the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Park on August 13, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

I was in Miami last August when the Colorado Rockies were taking on the Marlins, reporting on the series as part of Rox Pile’s extensive coverage. Miami ended up sweeping the Rockies in the three-game series, but that was not the scariest thing to come out of Colorado’s time in South Florida.

In Sunday’s series finale, Nolan Arenado was hit in the hand by Miami starting pitcher Vance Worley. The entire Rockies fan base held its breath as Arenado exited the game, thinking the worst for the All-Star third baseman. Could this be the end of Arenado’s season and Colorado’s run at the Wild Card?

Thankfully, it was neither. Arenado returned as a pinch hitter the following night against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field. Colorado went on to secure the second Wild Card spot in the National League, making the postseason for the first time since 2009.

However, that moment shows just how fragile a baseball season can be. Teams can often lose their stars to injury and be forced to tread water until their return. Some teams do OK, like the Los Angeles Angels, who went 19-19 while Mike Trout was out last season with a thumb injury. Others don’t, like the San Francisco Giants who reeled without Madison Bumgarner on the mound for nearly three months last season.

With that in mind, the question should be asked: What would happen to the Rockies if a long-term injury were to take out Arenado or Charlie Blackmon, arguably two of the biggest weapons in Colorado’s arsenal? It may not be something you want to consider, but it is a scenario to at least explore.

Two years ago, it was a thumb injury for Trevor Story that cut his season short. Last season, Ian Desmond was slowed by a broken hand in spring training and leg issues during the regular season. Jon Gray missed a lot of time with a foot injury. Rockies fans know injuries can happen, so let’s take a look and see what could happen if Colorado were to lose Arenado and/or Blackmon for an extended period of time.

The Rockies signed Chris Iannetta at catcher as their only position player signing of the offseason (thus far). Part of the reasoning behind that is the depth the Rockies have. An injury like we are discussing here would test that theory.

DENVER, CO – MAY 23: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies grimaces after being hit in the hand with a pitch by starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit #52 of the San Francisco Giants in the first inning during the second game of a double header at Coors Field on May 23, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Nolan Arenado (2017) — .309 average, 37 home runs, 130 RBI, 100 runs scored

Let’s go back and look at the Arenado hand injury again. If it had been worse and if Arenado had been forced to miss time last season, Pat Valaika would have likely seen time at third base. Additionally, don’t forget that the Miami series was also the series where Ryan McMahon received his inaugural big league call-up. McMahon was drafted as a third baseman and has played in 400 of his 594 minor league games at third base.

While playing McMahon at third base during his initial call-up while the Rockies were in a playoff run last season might have seemed a bit much, McMahon could hold down third base this season for the Rockies if needed, as could Valaika, who saw action in 19 games at third base last season.

Colorado Rockies

So what might a batting order without Arenado look like? Yes, it’s a scary thought but let’s take a look…

Raimel Tapia LF

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Charlie Blackmon CF

Trevor Story SS

Ian Desmond 1B

Gerardo Parra RF

Ryan McMahon 3B

Chris Iannetta C

Pitcher

Of course, that’s with McMahon at third base and Desmond moving back to the first. Blackmon would probably move down in the order to try to give the Rockies some more pop in the middle of the lineup.

Let’s look at a scenario with Valaika in the order instead.

David Dahl/Ian Desmond LF

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Charlie Blackmon CF

Trevor Story SS

Gerardo Parra RF

Ryan McMahon 1B

Pat Valaika 3B

Chris Iannetta C

Pitcher

In this scenario, we account for a couple of other names who have been mentioned as potential leadoff hitters for the Rockies … Dahl and Desmond.

What do you think? Could these lineups tread enough water for Arenado to return from a 6- to 8-week injury like Trout suffered last year?

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 22: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies sits in the dugout before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Charlie Blackmon (2017) — .331 average, 37 home runs, 104 RBI, 137 runs scored

If Colorado was to lose Charlie Blackmon (who just had a season for the ages as a leadoff hitter) for an extended period of time, it’s likely that Ian Desmond would slide into the center field spot (he played 130 games in center for the Texas Rangers in 2016) with David Dahl or Raimel Tapia taking over in left.

David Dahl/Raimel Tapia LF

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Nolan Arenado 3B

Trevor Story SS

Ian Desmond CF

Gerardo Parra RF

Ryan McMahon 1B

Chris Iannetta C

Pitcher

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A Blackmon injury would cement Desmond into the outfield for a majority of the time, setting up McMahon at first base without any hint of a platoon situation.’

Dahl or Tapia could move into the leadoff spot in the lineup. Colorado’s offense would certainly change with Blackmon leading off. Speed could become a bigger part of the game plan rather than relying on Blackmon’s power and penchant for driving in runs.

A Blackmon injury would also likely mean a call-up for Mike Tauchman to provide depth in the outfield.

Of course, this scenario assumes that Dahl is healthy enough to take over a bulk of playing time. It also assumes that he and/or Tapia would be able to contribute consistently. If that were not the case, someone like Tauchman could see even more playing time.

Next: 18 things to look forward to with the Rockies in 2018

What do you think? Could the Rockies survive without Blackmon for an extended period of time? Would losing Arenado or Blackmon kill Colorado’s hopes of returning to the postseason in 2018? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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I was in Miami last August when the Colorado Rockies were taking on the Marlins, reporting on the series as part of Rox Pile’s extensive coverage. Miami ended up sweeping the Rockies in the three-game series, but that was not the scariest thing to come out of Colorado’s time in South Florida.

Nolan Arenado (2017) — .309 average, 37 home runs, 130 RBI, 100 runs scored

Colorado Rockies

Charlie Blackmon (2017) — .331 average, 37 home runs, 104 RBI, 137 runs scored

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