Daniel Murphy heads West

Colorado Rockies received a gift in late December 2018, a gift that will help them return to the postseason in 2019. Three-time All-Star, two-time silver slugger award winner, and 2015 NLCS MVP Daniel Murphy has arrived in Denver. Murphy, a 33-year-old native of Jacksonville, Florida signed a two year, $24 million contract with the Rockies. Murphy is expected to make an impact for the Rockies at the plate and add protection to All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, All-Star shortstop Trevor Story, and All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

Murphy is a ten year veteran who spent the majority of his playing career at second base, but the Rockies envision moving Murphy over to first base in the spring. The transition to first base should be smooth for Murphy who played the position as recently as last year for the Washington Nationals after he returned from the disabled list. The move to first base has the potential to elevate and prolong his playing career which enables Murphy to continue to be one of the league’s premier batters for season’s to come.

The dimensions of Coors Field will allow Murphy to feast on the gaps of real estate in the power alleys in both right and left field. Murphy has been applauded by his ability to drive the ball to all areas of the field. Murphy led the national League in doubles in 2016 (47) and 2017 (43) along with posting the second best batting average in the National League both of those years. Murphy’s discipline at the plate is also a tremendous asset as he is a true student of the game, familiarizing himself with tendencies of the athlete standing 60 feet and 6 inches away. He is a pitcher’s nemesis at the plate and has been a tough out as a career .299 hitter in the major leagues.

Consider this an early warning to the Rockies divisional foes, Murphy has arrived and he is hungry for a World Series ring to accompany his accolades. Murphy provides added pop from the left-hand side of the plate for the Rockies and will generate multiple extra base hits and runs batted in.  Look for the Rockies team to improve at batting average (.254 in 2018) and runs per game (4.69 in 2018). After an injury-plagued 2018, Murphy has escaped the east coast and will look to insert his name in the National League MVP race and lead the Rockies into late October.