Colorado Rockies: David Dahl needs to cut down on the Ks

Don’t look now but outfielder David Dahl of the Colorado Rockies is in the middle of a hitting streak. Unfortunately for Dahl, it is a hitting streak of the worst kind.

For the last week and half, the Colorado Rockies‘ David Dahl has been in a bit of slump. In the last 11 games, dating back to April 26, he is 7-for 38 (.184) with a home run, 5 RBI, and seven runs scored, dropping his batting average from .361 to .303. More importantly, he has struck out in 10 of 11 of those games (with the lone exception being Tuesday night’s pinch-hit appearance when he walked) for a total of 14 strikeouts. To steal a line from Drew Goodman, “For those keeping score at home,” that is twice as many strikeouts than hits for a strikeout rate of 37 percent in that span.

The worrisome part is that his 37 percent rate is not much higher than his season average of 34. He is second on the team with 34 strikeouts, only four behind Trevor Story in 46 fewer at-bats and his 34 percent rate is only behind Mark Reynolds‘ woeful 44 percent.

Since he has yet to play in a full Major League season due to injuries, the 25-year-old Dahl will likely see his strikeouts decline as he continues to see more pitchers. The problem is that the Rockies have him hitting in a spot where it is difficult to be patient with his maturation.

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With Dahl’s skill set and his spot in the order, he must find a way to clean up on the “Ks” and do it quickly. Batting behind Nolan Arenado and the heart of the order, Dahl has plenty of RBI opportunities where, as long as he puts the ball in play, runs are sure to follow.

Case in point, in games the Rockies have won, Dahl’s strikeout rate is down to 28 percent. On the flip side, when the Rockies lose, his rate rises to 40 percent. For the season, with runners in scoring position, he is hitting a miserable .192 with 12 Ks.

Management has placed a lot of faith on the shoulders of David Dahl to drive in runs. batting behind perennial All-Stars Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. Unfortunately, he has swung and missed too frequently to become the consistent threat in lineup that they hoped he would be.  When his strikeout rate comes down, it will be much easier for the Rockies to feel like they “Better Call Dahl.”