David Dahl’s rocket ride to the major leagues will land Monday when the Rockies call up their top outfield prospect for a series at Baltimore against the Orioles, a big-league source confirmed Sunday.
The Rockies will designate backup outfielder Brandon Barnes for assignment to make room for Dahl, the 22-year-old from Birmingham, Ala., who was drafted by Colorado in the first round in 2012.
Dahl, who was penciled in to hit second and play left field for the Albuquerque Isotopes on Sunday, was scratched at the last minute. He hit .484 through 16 games since his promotion to Triple-A less than a month ago. In his first game with Albuquerque, on July 4, he homered and hit 3-for-5. Since then, he has five home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs in just 62 at-bats. On Saturday against Fresno, he went 4-for-5.
Dahl has been on a fast track since an outfield collision last season led to a ruptured spleen and an abbreviated year in Double-A. With the Isotopes, he was the youngest position player on the roster by nearly two years.
“He’s hitting the ball with authority and power,” Rockies farm director Zach Wilson said this month. “He has the potential to impact both sides of the ball multiple times in a nine-inning game.”
The Rockies invited Dahl to his first major-league spring training in February. They drafted him with their top pick, 10th overall, in 2012 out of Oak Mountain High School.
Dahl’s promotion comes amid rumors the Rockies might trade center fielder Charlie Blackmon or right fielder Carlos Gonzalez.
Barnes, who is hitting .220 for the Rockies this year, will be in limbo for no more than 10 days. He can either be traded, claimed off waivers, assigned to Triple-A or released.
Looking Ahead…
Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 6.07 ERA) at Orioles RHP Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 5.69), 5:05 p.m. Monday, ROOT; 850 AM
This is awkward — or helpful, depending. The Orioles have long coveted De La Rosa as a veteran lefty. And according to a report by Jon Morosi last week, they are again considering trade options with the Rockies before next week’s deadline. De La Rosa could use an audition. In his last start, the 35-year-old who is in the final year of his Colorado contract, gave up nine runs (seven earned) in just four innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. And he has a 6.50 ERA outside of Coors Field this season.
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (8-6, 5.31 ERA) at Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (14-2, 3.18), 5:50 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (6-4, 4.12) at Orioles RHP Dylan Bundy (3-2, 3.30), 5:05 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.56) at Mets RHP Jacob deGrom (6-5, 2.73), 11:10 p.m., ROOT
