Colorado Rockies: Examining the worst-case injury scenarios

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?