Colorado Rockies: It’s time to shake things up

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies stands in the dugout during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies stands in the dugout during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 09: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies hits a double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Coors Field on May 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MAY 09: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies hits a double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Coors Field on May 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

First and foremost, David Dahl should be playing every day. This season he’s only hitting .254 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI’s in 25 games, but those numbers should improve with regular playing time.

Dahl has seen most of his at-bats against right-handers, and that’s justifiable considering he’s struggled against lefties.

But Dahl isn’t a platoon player and he’s hit southpaws reasonably-well throughout his minor league career.  Dahl’s numbers on the season will get better and his right/left splits will even out, but that won’t happen by sitting on the bench.

Inconsistent playing time will not help Dahl figure things out.

It would be different if the Rockies’ offense was hitting on all cylinders, but it’s not. I’d rather see the Rockies offense struggle because they’re giving young guys like Dahl a chance to find their footing than because they’re clinging to aging veterans.

Dahl isn’t the only guy who deserves a chance at regular playing time.

Fellow outfielder Noel Cuevas has played fairly well since being promoted (.294/.345/.353 slash line) and has earned more playing time as the team searches for offense.  He is also the only right-handed hitter in the Rockies outfield.

But let’s take this a step further.