Colorado Rockies: 3 keys for the D’Backs series

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SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 07: Daniel Murphy #9 of the Colorado Rockies rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off relief pitcher Yohan Ramirez #55 of the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on August, 7, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Rockies won the game 8-4. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

The Rockies had two problems happen on the play

Actual Problem #1: Murphy should have made the play. He didn’t have to jump 10 feet in the air to reach it or dive 10 feet to either side. He got a bad read on it and it delayed his reaction. It wasn’t an extremely hard hit pitch either. It had an exit velocity of 86.1 MPH with an expected batting average of .250 on the ball, according to Statcast.

Actual Problem #2: Daniel Murphy is playing first base, in general. That’s the biggest problem. He’s not a good defender at first base and he’s in a slump at the plate. He started off slow, then he was hot for a period, and now, he has five hits in his last 37 at-bats (.135 average). But he’s been cold at the plate-like the Rockies have been, in general.

But he was off for most of 2019 (partially due to injury) and the Rockies knew (or should have known) that he would not be a phenomenal defender at first base. He was average last year (not great, but average) and the numbers have him below league average this year.

At bare minimum, he needs a day or two off but really, the Rockies need to give more time to Brendan Rodgers at second base and Ryan McMahon more time at first base since they are part of the Rockies’ future and Murphy is not.

With the DH rule and the current roster, he should be DH’ing some times and coming off the bench the rest.

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