By Jordan Long
The Colorado Rockies are in Spring Training. They begin Spring Training games on Friday with their first opponent being the Arizona Diamondbacks. The biggest position battle to watch is the everyday 1st baseman. Colorado thought last year it would be Ian Desmond but this year he will play in the outfield. According to Denverpost.com, Desmond said, “Honestly, I haven’t really been focusing a lot on first base. I have spent a lot of time in left field, just getting my legs ready to play out there. I will be ready to play first base if they need me to, but right now, from what I understand, it’s going to be mostly left field.” Who will play 1st base?
Desmond has experience at 1st base with 22 games at the position last season. He wasn’t bad with 1 error and 5 assists but Desmond’s natural position isn’t 1st base, it’s shortstop, and the Rockies have Trevor Story. Desmond is the everyday center fielder for the Rockies. He is better there and didn’t record an error.
With that the Rockies give Ryan McMahon every chance to earn the 1st base spot. He isn’t as skilled at first base as Desmond. McMahon played in 7 games at 1st base for the Rockies. In those games he didn’t record an error and had 3 infield assists, small sample size for McMahon but proved he could play the position. He will use Spring Training to be even more comfortable at 1st. If he fails the Rockies may have to put Desmond back at 1st base.
Colorado has time to figure out who will play 1st. If Desmond and McMahon are both unsuccessful they could always sign a 1st baseman.
What do you think of the Colorado Rockies giving Ryan McMahon the opportunity to win the 1st base position?
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