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Desmond's fantasy value sky-rockets with move to Colorado

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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Here are the fantasy implications following the news free-agent OF Ian Desmond has signed with the Colorado Rockies:

If you aren't already aware, Coors Field in Colorado is in a league of it's own when it comes to hitter-friendly ballparks. The high altitude in Denver causes the ball to rip through the air. It is routinely atop the MLB in ESPN Park Factors - usually by quite a wide margin.

Desmond will join an already potent lineup in Colorado. If fellow OFs Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon remain Rockies, Desmond would likely slot into the middle of a lineup which could look something like this come opening day:

ROCKIES
1. Charlie Blackmon (L) CF
2. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
3. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
4. Carlos Gonzalez (L) RF
5. Ian Desmond (R) LF
6. Trevor Story (R) SS
7. INSERT 1B HERE
8. Tony Wolters (L) C

There is still a need at first base for the Rockies, but as you can see, this lineup will be very potent. It wouldn't be shocking if they led the MLB in runs scored, with their home ballpark being a major factor.

Desmond's BB/K ratio isn't ideal for a middle of the lineup bat, but if he can maintain his 20.6 line drive percentage from 2016 (the second-best of his career), then it wouldn't be surprising at all if he hit somewhere along the lines of .300/.340/.500 with 30 home runs, 40 doubles, 10 triples, 110 RBIs, 90 runs and 20 stolen bases.

Desmond's .630 OPS from the second half of last season is quite alarming, but fantasy players should still be drafting him in the early-mid rounds as a top 15 outfielder given the upside that Coors Field has blessed him with. Desmond could be used as a first baseman by the Rockies.

Early discussion has the Rockies considering Desmond as their answer at first base if unable to find another solution via trade or free agency. The dual-eligibility would provide yet another boost to his fantasy value, even without fitting the true mold of a fantasy 1B.

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