Colorado Rockies: Garrett Hampson has earned the second base role

Experiencing a taste of the Show last season, Garrett Hampson came into spring training on a mission. Now as Opening Day is less than three weeks away, the Rockies number three overall prospect looks to solidify his spot as the starting second baseman.

Youthful exuberance has swept over the Colorado Rockies over the past two seasons. Gone, for the most part, barring a few exceptions, are the days of relying heavily on a veteran presence in the clubhouse and instead shifting gears to young adolescence. As Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey Jr. says, ‘let the kids play.’

The Rockies are in a wholly unfamiliar territory heading into the 2019 season. Over the offseason longtime gold glove second baseman DJ LeMahieu signed a contract with the New York Yankees. In an ideal effort to quell the gap faced by his exit, the club brought in Daniel Murphy. The only problem? Murphy is slated to take over at first base for Ian Desmond, who himself signed a $70 million deal three years ago to in fact play first base.

As Bud Black continues his chaotic carousel of moving players around, second base is one spot seemingly still unoccupied, for now. While the potential does exist for third-year platoon infielder Ryan McMahon to step in to fill the role, the Rockies would be in an overall better spot if they utilized McMahon off the bench in his usual role, affording the starting opportunity instead to Garrett Hampson.