Colorado Rockies first baseman Ian Desmond could possibly make his Rockies debut at left field in Arizona on Sunday, according to an article written by Tracy Ringolsby. For the seasoned veteran coming back from a left hand fracture suffered during spring training, he’s ready to get back to action after enjoying some time off.
“I was able to do other things,” Desmond said of his two-and-a-half month hiatus. “I think it was a blessing in disguise.”
Desmond, 31, signed with the Rockies in December on a five-year, $70 million contract to play first base – a move that shows the Rockies are serious about turning things around after six straight sub-.500 seasons. And although he’s touted to start at the seven position on Sunday, he’ll eventually make the move over to first-ever start at first base, a position he’s never played before.
Although the eight-year veteran did not get the chance to start out his Colorado career the way he wanted to, he’s gotten to focus on the mental side of the game, which he sees as invaluable.
“I got the opportunity to watch the teammates, watch the guys, see what makes them tick, kind of check on when would be a good time to talk to them, when not to on mid-game stuff. Just learn,” Desmond said. “Sometimes for me personally, I’m so entrenched in the game that I kind of lose focus on what the other guys are doing. So being able to sit back and watch and kind of learn and observe has been really great.”
Although his attention shifted to a more calculating and less physical approach over the past couple months, Desmond said that aspect has never been foreign to his long career.
“That’s pretty much me,” Desmond said. “I do that regardless. I’m always in the game trying to see what I would do compared to what the manager’s doing. It’s just kind of the nature of who I am. I’m not just a go with the flow kind of guy, I’m always thinking, and sometimes to a fault.”
Versatility has never been a stranger to Desmond, who undoubtedly needs to rely on that skill should he master the new challenge of first base.
Prior to making the move to the Mile High City, Desmond spent the first seven years of his Major League career in a Washington Nationals uniform, where he made 889 starts at shortstop and five at second base. Upon signing a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers last season, he transitioned to left and center field.
Desmond doesn’t exactly see his success at a variety of positions from an adaptability standpoint as much as another staple that’s become the trademark of his career with the Nationals and Rangers.
“I don’t necessarily think of it from that aspect, as versatility, as I think it’s going to be hard work, the kind of determination to be good at what I want to do,” Desmond said. “I think versatility helps teams if you can do it successfully. I plan on working hard and being the best I can be at it. I’m trying to give Bud [Black] another weapon.”
Prior to his injury, Desmond was the easy choice for first base, with Mark Reynolds – who signed on a minor league deal this spring – being the Rockies’ best second choice. Since Opening Day, however, that decision has complicated as Reynolds’ numbers at the plate have skyrocketed into some of the best in the Rockies clubhouse, and is perhaps why he’ll start his Rockies career in the outfield.
In just 85 at-bats this year, Reynolds boasts a .306 batting average with seven home runs, 20 RBI, 26 hits and 14 runs, but Desmond said that Reynolds’ success is the least of his concerns, as he’s happy to contribute to the team in whatever way he can.
“I don’t foresee it being a problem,” Desmond said. “The objective is to win games, and I’m happy. I love watching Mark being successful. I love nothing more than winning, so whatever the formulation needs to be, the recipe needs to be to win, I’m on board. If that means me sitting on the bench or playing left or playing first, or whatever it takes, I want to win. I want to accomplish what we set out to accomplish from the start of this thing.”
That’s not to say that Desmond won’t be a threat himself at the plate this season after seeing his own numbers balloon in Texas, after he set career-highs with 625 at-bats, 107 runs, 178 hits and 279 total bases. With those and other statistics under his belt, he became the fifth player in Rangers history to record 100 runs, 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases in a single season.
With Coors Field being a major hitter’s park, who knows what is to come for Desmond once he steps into the batter’s box after the Rockies’ current road stint ends.
“I’m feeling great and I’m excited to see how I feel when I get back going,” he said.
