Admittedly, I can be a bit hard on Dexter Fowler. When it comes to the young outfielder, I’m like one of those terrible fathers that only values their children’s achievements. For a very long time, I’ve been expecting a lot of Dex, as has pretty much everyone that follows this team. Rarely will you find a baseball player with more athleticism and potential. But, he consistently disappoints me and I love him less because of that. However, while Dexter clearly hasn’t fulfilled his promise (unless we trade him for Tommy Milone), that doesn’t mean he should be playing in Colorado Springs.
Even though he was struggling before being demoted, Fowler still provided the team with above replacement level value, particularly in the field. Since he was sent down, the Rockies have made no improvement. In fact, they’ve actually gotten worse. With Charlie Blackmon on the DL and Cargo hurting, the team’s decision to call up Cole Garner over Fowler was questionable at best. At some point, the Rockies must realize that it’s a mistake to forgo Dexter’s defense in favor of players that are are much worse defensively and not any better offensively.
Lately, the Rockies have not been fielding a very good defensive outfield. Seth Smith does a nice job in right, but when a lefty is on the bump and he’s on the bench, things can become problematic. I’m a big fan of Charlie Blackmon’s potential, but he’s still has a long way to go in his development. He was playing semi-adequate defense in left before getting hurt, but he wasn’t even close to Cargo’s left-field defensive production. And, Cargo’s defense in center is several notches below Dexter’s capabilities. Also, centerfield is tough on the body, and, as we just found out, it’s probably not the best place for the Rockies’ superstar outfielder.
For some time, I’ve been thinking Dexter needed to be up with the big club. Now that Charlie Blackmon is out, it’s asinine to leave him in Colorado Springs. Certainly, Dexter is a flawed baseball player, but he still fits in as a piece for this club. Perhaps it won’t always stay that way, but, for now, Dexter is their best option in center.
Currently, despite not playing in the majors since the beginning of June, Dexter’s WAR is 0.9. Before getting hurt Charlie Blackmon was at -0.6. Ryan Spilborghs is currently sporting a WAR of -0.5. However, even though it’s a proven fact that Dexter provides value, the Rockies want him in Colorado Springs because he strikes-out too much. And we question why this organization repeatedly fails to get the most out of their talent.
Since June 25th, Fowler is hitting well over .400 and most of those hits happened outside the confines of Security Service Field. Last night, he hit his first home run at any level this season. Also, Cargo’s return to the lineup looks like it will be short lived. It’s time to get Dexter back up in the big leagues and leave him in center for the rest of the season. If the Rockies want to improve the position in the off-season, that would be great. However, Dexter needs to be the guy in the short term. Call him up, stick him in the seventh hole, and let him save some runs.
Disagree or have something to add? As always, comments are welcome.
For life-changing insight and some good time tomfoolery, follow @Logan_Burdine on Twitter.
Loading ...
Loading tweets...
4 comments
Travis Lay
July 10, 2011 at 8:00 AM (UTC -6)
Add me the list of those who don’t think Dex has been THAT bad at the plate with the Rockies…Sure is average is low but if he is batting first his OBP is most important and at close to .350 it is acceptable.
Anna
July 10, 2011 at 10:59 AM (UTC -6)
Got to agree. Dexter is a whiz defensively and he has definitely been missed. Offensively the team was struggling so badly that anyone who was borderline on productivity was at risk. Games are won, not only by our runs, but by our defense preventing runs by the other team. That seems to have been forgotten. Earlier in the season, they did lots of shifting at second base, messing with Jonny H. His defense is better than any of the guys they brought up from AAA and his offense is dependably solid. Ellis is a lovely addition now, but again, that was another situation of choosing ‘possible’ offense over defense. As my 5 year old granddaughter would say, “Nanna, they are making poor choices.”
Travis Lay
July 10, 2011 at 4:34 PM (UTC -6)
And I say “Well said Nanna!”
Michael
July 10, 2011 at 8:43 PM (UTC -6)
I agree wholeheartedly with this article. His defense and as Travis points out his OBP are both above average. I feel J Tracy has really screwed with Dex by never letting him bat from his natural side (right) when he was struggling. He was hitting much better from that side but a lefty on the mound meant a chance for Spilly, EY, or Wiggy to play in the outfield. He also hung Dex out to dry on so many predictable hit-and-runs he was getting thrown out constantly, which of course makes him look bad, but where not traditional steal chances. Bring him back and let him play