Middle Of The Pack

The Asheville Tourists have struggled in the second half playing near .500 baseball (16-18) and at one time within the past couple of weeks were only 1 1/2 games out of first place in the South Atlantic League's Southern Division. They are now in fourth place but only 5 1/2 games out, still within striking distance with 35 games left to play.

David Dahl Gets The Call

Ex-Asheville Tourists Outfielder David Dahl got the call to the major leagues from the Colorado Rockies yesterday. He made his major league debut batting sixth and playing leftfield against the Baltimore Orioles. Dahl got his first major league hit, a single in the seventh inning, in four at bats. He scored the Rockies second run in the 3-2, ten inning loss to the Orioles.

Dahl played in parts of two seasons for the Tourists in 2013-14 and had a combined total of 10 homeruns and 48 runs batted in. He has spent this season at two different levels at AA Hartford and AAA Albuquerque. He only played 17 games in Albuquerque but was batting .484 with five homeruns and 16 RBI's when he got the call. He hit a combined .314 with 18 homeruns and 61 RBI's between the two stops.

Dahl is considered a five tool prospect by most scouts and he will get a chance to prove himself at the major league level for the rest of the season. Dahl's recall before the trade deadline frees the Rockies up to make some moves. The Rockies still have a slight chance at the second wild card spot as they are 5 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets. The Rockies need pitching. Dahl could potentially be trade bait.

Rookie of the Year

Ex-Asheville Tourists shortstop is still making headlines in his rookie season and has to be considered the frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He his two more homeruns last night against the Atlanta Braves giving him 26 on the season to go along with 67 runs batted in. He also has a .272 batting average and has made some highlight reel, ESPN worthy defensive plays as well.

I first mentioned Trevor Story in one of my Asheville Tourists blog on February 25th as he battled for the Colorado Rockies starting shortstop job in Spring Training. He has taken the major leagues by storm this season showing extreme power, a solid glove, and he is also has above average speed on the bases.

Story's emergence allowed the Rockies to cut Jose Reyes loose and Reyes ended up rejoining the New York Mets and playing a little bit of third base. Reyes has also flashed a little bit of power in his return but I would say the advantage in this exchange went to the Rockies.