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Colorado Rockies: The Ideal Offensive Lineup

By Quinn Ritzdorf |
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: (R-L) Trevor Story #27, coach Ronnie Gideon #53, DJ LeMahieu #9 and hitting coach Duane Espy #58 of the Colorado Rockies watch from the dugout during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on March 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: (R-L) Trevor Story #27, coach Ronnie Gideon #53, DJ LeMahieu #9 and hitting coach Duane Espy #58 of the Colorado Rockies watch from the dugout during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on March 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The Colorado Rockies offense has been struggling mightily lately. In this past three game series against the Miami Marlins, they had 15 hits with only two runs to show for it.

The Colorado Rockies are tied for last in OPS+, with the Miami Marlins. OPS+ is OPS that is adjusted for park and league conditions. This year, the league average in OPS+ is 97. The Rockies are at 77. This means they are 20 percent worse than the league average.

The Rockies have yet to find a lineup to get out of this slump. So, I’m going to pretend to be Rockies manager Bud Black for a few minutes and create the ideal offensive lineup based on OPS+.

Unfortunately, there is a large disparity on the Rockies when it comes to offensive production in the roster. There are only five players that have an above average OPS+: DJ LeMahieu (125), Trevor Story (108), Nolan Arenado (145), Charlie Blackmon (145) and David Dahl (111). The next closest player is Carlos Gonzalez at 77.

So, those five players are a lock in the lineup. This leaves catcher, first base, and one outfield spot as the positions left to fill and this is where it gets interesting.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 23: Tom Murphy #23 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 23: Tom Murphy #23 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Catcher

Let’s focus on catcher. Chris Iannetta’s OPS+ is 69 while Tony Wolters is a measly 7. However, there is also Tom Murphy, who is currently catching down in Triple-A Albuquerque. Although he had a horrible season with the Rockies last year with a -50 OPS+, his MLB OPS+ average is 90.

In addition, Murphy has also done well thus far with the Isotopes this season. He enters Monday with 25 hits in 80 at bats, including eight doubles, five home runs, and 14 RBI. His offensive slash line is .313/;.385/.600, which is remarkably better than both Iannetta and Wolters.

So, what I would do is option Wolters to the minors and bring up Murphy to back up for Iannetta. Depending on how he does (as well as Iannetta), he could move into the starting position.

First Base

Let’s move to first base. Ian Desmond’s OPS+ is 53. Other people who have played first base also have very low OPS+, such as Gerardo Parra at 59 and Ryan McMahon at 39.

First base is one of the toughest decisions, so let’s put that on the back burner and move to the outfield. Also, first base hinges on who else the Rockies put in the outfield with Dahl and Blackmon.

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Raimel Tapia. Getty Images.
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Raimel Tapia. Getty Images. /

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Outfield

One more position is left in the outfield with Blackmon and Dahl a lock. The obvious go to is Carlos Gonzalez who has a 77 OPS+. However, there is also Raimel Tapia in Triple-A. He has a .284/.358/.505 slash line in Albuquerque this year with seven doubles, four homers, and 18 RBI. In 2017, in the majors, he had an 84 OPS+ and has an MLB average of 76.

Let me also throw out there that Gonzalez has mentioned he is willing to play his childhood position, first base. If he wants to stay in the lineup and wants the best for the team, this might have to be done. It would solve the problem at first base while also keeping both of the highest available OPS+ players on the field.

Bringing up Tapia would mean optioning McMahon. Also, Gonzalez would have to be eased into the position, so Desmond could start until Gonzalez is comfortable to take over.

This is the best lineup possible given the poor hitting the Rockies have experienced. However, this revamped lineup wouldn’t solve the problem. There are still a lot of players that would need to step up and play to their ability.

Next: The Rockies top five standout performances from April

Starting Lineup

So, here is the ideal starting offensive lineup for the Rockies based upon OPS+:

  1. DJ LeMahieu (2B)-125
  2. Charlie Blackmon (CF)-145
  3. Nolan Arenado (3B)-145
  4. Trevor Story (SS)-108
  5. David Dahl (LF)-111
  6. Carlos Gonzalez (1B)-77
  7. Raimel Tapia (RF)-76*
  8. Tom Murphy (C)-90*
  9. Pitcher

*-OPS+ is from their MLB average

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