Colorado Rockies: What Ian Desmond’s hot streak means for the team

The Colorado Rockies have been floating around .500 lately, which is worsse than the Rockies and their fans hoped. One person that struggled for the first two months of the season was first baseman Ian Desmond. During that stretch (and for nearly all off the 2017 season as well), Desmond was criticized (and deservedly so) for his struggles. However, with his recent hot stretch, does it change the Rockies outlook on the trade deadline?

Ian Desmond had a terrible first 62 games of his season. From the start of the season through June 9 (62 games), Desmond had an awful start, with a .190/.263/.389, a BABIP of .203 and a wRC+ of 59.

In fact his first six weeks put him on pace for the worst season in MLB history.

However, in the 23 games since June 9, Desmond has turned the corner. He has a slash line of .284/.370/.556, a BABIP of .378, and a wRC+ of 134. She also has six home runs and 15 RBI in that span. If he kept up for a 162 game slate, he would have 43 home runs and 106 RBI, which isn’t bad at all.

With his performance being much better of late, as well as the team’s as they are 6-1 in their last seven games, it could create an interesting dilemma for the team.

As of now, the Rockies have yet to determine whether or not they want to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Entering Friday, they are tied for third place in the NL West, only 3.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks for a virtual tie for first (the Dodgers have one less win but also one less loss but by winning percentage, they technically lead the division). The Rockies are also only 4.5 games back of the second National League Wild Card spot.

Depending on how Desmond continues playing for the month of July (and maybe even August) as well as how the team plays in that span, there are a few situations that the team could find themselves in.

Let’s go through them.