Colorado Rockies Runners on 1st … and 2nd Guesses: A Reynolds Wrap

It’s time for another Runners on 1st … and 2nd Guesses where I take a critical look at the Colorado Rockies and do some complaining.

It has been over a month since my last edition but considering the Colorado Rockies have won 13 out of the last 17 games, it means that there hasn’t been much to rant about. However…..

The Rockies need to put a wrap on veteran first baseman, Mark Reynolds and his time in Denver.  The man has been a black hole in his role as a pinch hitter and Daniel Murphy‘s backup. He has one hit in his last 18 at bats with a lone RBI and that hit was due to Kris Bryant losing the ball in the sun.

The 34-year-old has not produced for this team since mid-May and it is time to let him go. I thought the Rockies might pull the trigger when they activated Charlie Blackmon on Friday but instead they optioned Garrett Hampson to Albuquerque instead.

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There are two reasons why they continue to keep Reynolds around and he is accomplishing neither of them.

The first is he is a right-handed bat that Bud Black can use against southpaw pitching instead of Murphy. However, Black should be using Ryan McMahon even though he is also a lefty. In 41 at-bats, McMahon is swatting a solid .366 while Reynolds is hitting .184 in 49 at-bats. And if they have to have a righty, they can always call up Pat Valaika.

Second, Reynolds is only two home runs away from the 300 career milestone. We would all love to see him do it in a Rockies uniform but his last homer was way back on May 9, which was 38 at-bats ago. At that rate, it could be quite some time before he reaches that historic mark.

Bud Black seems to put a lot of faith in his veterans even when they aren’t producing … but there comes a point when all faith is lost and that point has passed for Mark Reynolds.

As always, if you agree or disagree with my criticism or have something else to rant about, let us know in our comment section below or on social media.