Colorado Rockies: More boos for Ian Desmond

Two weeks ago, I wrote that it is time to embrace Ian Desmond.  Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field, Colorado Rockies fans finally took my advice and embraced him…by showering him with a chorus of “boos”.

There was plenty of blame to go around for the Rockies snapping their season long 6-game winning streak.  0-12 with runners in scoring position, 11 runners left on base, 14 strikeouts, a rare non-quality start, and shaky pitching from the bullpen, but Ian Desmond might as well be scapegoat 1A for the Rockies’ 8-0 loss the Angels.

I say this because Desmond’s first at-bat in the second inning was the beginning of a very long and ugly game.   Down one, Carlos Gonzalez doubled to lead off the second. Two batters later, with one out and runners on the corners, Desi stepped up to the plate and struck out looking.

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Had he been able to drive in that runner at third and tie up the ballgame, the outcome may have been completely different.  Instead, he followed up that strikeout in the second with 3 more to give him the infamous “Golden Sombrero” to go along with leaving 6 men on base.

I don’t know how many more articles I have to write about the struggles of Desmond, but it sure is getting old.  Yes, he was a key contributor with his 2 home runs in the Rockies in the 3-2 win against the Mets on Sunday but that’s one of his few bright spots in this young season.

Unfortunately, the Rockies are limited as to what they can do with.  At the moment, trading or cutting him is completely off the table.  The Rockies have little help behind him to replace him.  Ryan McMahon showed he isn’t ready yet and there aren’t many other options in the minors.

The best option is to bench him and go with someone that they have used at first base in the past: Gerardo Parra.  Now that David Dahl has shown that he is ready for a full time role in the outfield, playing time in the outfield has gotten crowded.  With Parra’s bat finally coming around, he also needs to be in the everyday lineup.

Next: Raimel Tapia is still being overlooked by the Rockies

It is time to bench Ian Desmond and his horrible bat and marginal defense and plug Gerardo Parra in a first. What’s the worst that could happen?  Another strikeout?