Colorado Rockies: David Dahl's long road to the All-Star Game

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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 13: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies rounds third base to score on a Ian Desmond 2 RBI double in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on June 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

For any player to be named an All-Star is a huge achievement. But every season there are a few players whose selection to the Mid-Summer Classic feels a little sweeter. The Colorado Rockies have one such player at this year’s All-Star Game.

Prior to the 2019 season, Sports Illustrated released an in-depth projection for the Colorado Rockies’ season. Much of the story was taken from a conversation with an unnamed “rival scout” who gave his thoughts on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Though many of the scout’s points were insightful, one recurring theme throughout his breakdown of the Rockies was his take on outfielder David Dahl. He named Dahl as the Rockies’ most overrated player, biggest “bust candidate,” and the last player he’d want at the plate at a season-defining moment, at least “versus a lefty.”

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He also said that Dahl’s play would be hampered by his injury history, saying he was “like glass” and describing his play as “tentative.” The scout claimed he had “never seen the guy leave his feet for a ball” and quipped, “the next time you see him lay out for a ball, send me a text.”

Halfway through 2019, David Dahl has proved every bit of that wrong. Not only has he made numerous great plays in the outfield, but he has also stayed healthy for most of the season so far. Heading into Friday’s game in Arizona, Dahl’s also actually hit better against lefties (.330/.370/.560) than right-handers (.312/.358/.548).

The last word anyone watching Dahl on a nightly basis would use to describe his play is “tentative.”

For Dahl, the chance to prove doubters wrong comes after several years of battling to even get a chance to play every day.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 15: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies hits a triple in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on June 15, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Though he only just turned 25, Rockies fans have been hearing his name for several seasons. The once-top-prospect had high expectations as he rose through the Rockies’ system, with many believing he could become an All-Star outfielder at the Major League level.

After a strong 2014 with Modesto, the quickly-rising Dahl had his 2015 season derailed by a ruptured spleen. Despite the setback, he made spring training the next season and made his MLB debut a few months later on July 25 at only 22 years old. Instantly, Dahl stunned the baseball world by hitting safely in the first 17 games of his career, tying the MLB record.

Dahl would go on to hit .315 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 63 games that season and was in line to compete for an everyday role in 2017 before a stress reaction in his rib suffered in spring training cost him the entirety of the 2017 season.

The next season (2018) was meant to be his chance to bounce back but once again a freak accident resulted in a broken foot on a foul ball, sidelining him until August. Despite struggling to put together consistent playing time for multiple seasons due to injury, Dahl returned in 2018 and willed the Rockies into the playoffs with a torrid September, hitting nine home runs and recording 27 RBI.

Dahl was the National League’s final Player of the Week in 2018, taking home the honors by hitting six home runs in the last seven games of September, giving him a career-high 16 homers in just 77 games.

Inexplicably, Dahl started only one game of the NLDS sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers and pinch hit once, recording only five plate appearances in the series. This was a strange decision considering Dahl was the Rockies’ hottest hitter going into the playoffs. Especially since struggling outfielder Carlos Gonzalez started every game and finished the series with 12 plate appearances despite hitting .200 since September 1.

But all of that is in the past — Dahl has made sure of that. In 2019, he has already tied his career-high in games played and surpassed his career mark with 51 RBI. Finally getting the chance to play his first full season in the big leagues, he will also take part in his first Midsummer Classic.

Next. Colorado's plans for the rotation before the All-Star break. dark

While every All-Star Game selection is special, I think David Dahl might smile a little broader than most this July 9 — and who can blame him? After battling a bout of terrible luck, David Dahl is officially an All-Star.

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