First base now a chronic problem for the Rockies

Given the history and given the venue, it’s hard to fathom how bad things have gotten at first base for the Rockies.

Entering the weekend, the offensive numbers at the position were scary bad: a .173 batting average (last in the National League); .263 on-base percentage (last); .317 slugging percentage (second to last); .579 OPS (last); and four home runs (13th).

Remember, we’re talking about playing first base for the Rockies, at Coors Field, for goodness sake. We’re talking about a legacy that includes Todd Helton, Andres Galarraga and Justin Morneau, hitters who made pitchers think twice when they saw those men step into the batter’s box.

Entering Friday night’s game against Milwaukee, Ian Desmond, Colorado’s primary first baseman this season, was hitting .135 at Coors after 15 games. That’s right, .135., with a .164 on-base percentage. He’s been OK with the glove, but there’s been nothing golden about his performance there.

In December 2016, when the Rockies signed Desmond to a five-year, $70 million contract, general manager Jeff Bridich proclaimed Desmond as Colorado’s answer at first base, even though Desmond had never played the position before. It was an expensive, calculated risk.

“I’m not going to come out claiming I’m going to be Don Mattingly,” Desmond said at the time. “I’m going to work hard. That’s going to be my goal. We’ll see how it goes.”

So far, it hasn’t gone well. Yet from manager Bud Black all the way up to Bridich, the Rockies’ brass continues to believe that Desmond will turn things around. They cite his track record and work ethic, but I’m just not seeing the Desmond they envision.

If Desmond continues to scuffle, what are the Rockies’ options? They are limited, to say the least. Rookie Ryan Mcmahon proved he was not ready for prime time and is back at Triple-a Albuquerque. Pat Valaika, who hit well last season, was mired in a horrendous slump before he was also sent down.

Which brings us to Mark Reynolds, who hit .267 with 30 homers, 97 RBIS and 175 strikeouts in 520 at-bats for the Rockies last season. While Colorado fans clamored for his return throughout the spring and winter, negotiations between the Rockies and Reynolds never got beyond an initial conversation, and then fizzled out entirely.

Reynolds, 34, is playing for Washington’s Triple-a affiliate in Syracuse, N.Y., but with first baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s back ailing, Reynolds was called up by the big-league Saturday. But how long will he stay on the Nationals roster? Chances are, not very long, meaning he could refuse assignment to Triple-a and become a free agent.

In theory, the door would be open for his return to Colorado. Reynolds, I’m certain, would jump at the chance, and I know that a number of players inside the clubhouse would welcome Reynolds back with open arms.

But there are problems with Reynolds returning. For one thing, the Rockies seem to have moved past him. For another, there are worries within the organization that Reynolds’ second half last year, when he hit .243 with 11 homers, was a red flag. Plus, Reynolds, a righthanded batter, hit just .231 with only seven homers against left-handers last season.

I’m told that the Rockies would not bench Desmond in favor of giving Reynolds steady playing time. And after the season he had in 2017, Reynolds believes he’s earned more than a bench role. That could create clubhouse tension.

The bottom line? First base will continue to be a problem, rather than an asset, until Desmond turns it around. If he ever does.