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Colorado Rockies: Examining the worst-case injury scenarios

By Kevin Henry

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)
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) /
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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)
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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