David Dahl

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #2 prospect in 2016
  Dahl was just turning the corner at Double-A New Britain in 2015 when he was injured in a scary outfield collision, leading to a splenectomy and a few weeks on the sidelines. It was the second major injury for Dahl in four years, as he missed most of 2013 with a torn right hamstring. When healthy, he continued to show the tools that made him the 10th overall pick in 2012. Dahl has the potential to be a fivetool center fielder. His quick hands allow him to stay inside the ball, and he sprays line drives with a level lefthanded swing through the strike zone. Dahl's strikeouts were up a tick in 2015 against tougher pitchers, but the Rockies were pleased with the adjustments he made to his aggressive offensive approach. He is learning to come to the plate with a plan. Some evaluators project Dahl to hit 20-25 homers, but at present his power is geared more for the gaps. His above-average speed, instincts, arm strength and accuracy make him an excellent defensive center fielder. His first-step quickness and closing speed help him cover more ground than most. Dahl dealt with knee tendinitis at the end of the season, and the Rockies will closely monitor his health. He should reach Triple-A Albuquerque in 2016, but he must stay healthy to deliver on his star-caliber talent.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2015
  The Rockies never had taken a high school outfielder with their first pick before drafting Dahl 10th overall in 2012 and signing him for $2.6 million, He won MVP honors in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in his 2012 debut, hitting a league-leading .379 with a 27-game hitting streak and 1.048 OPS. But 2013 was a lost season. After Dahl played Opening Day for low Class A Asheville, the Rockies sent him to extended spring training, a disciplinary measure for making his own airline reservation out of spring training. He returned to Asheville in late April but a week later suffered a season-ending torn right hamstring while running to first base. During his rehab, he developed lower back soreness that prevented him from participating in instructional league. Dahl returned to Asheville in 2014 seeking to be a team leader and he fulfilled that goal. After his long layoff, he was understandably rusty early in the season, but after hitting .368/.395/.513 in 117 at-bats to begin the second half, he earned a promotion to high Class A Modesto where he hit safely in his final 12 games. The Rockies wanted to give Dahl playoff experience and boost Asheville's chances in the postseason, so he returned there for the final two games of the regular season and then helped the Tourists win the South Atlantic League championship by hitting .367/.424/.700 in seven playoff games. Dahl is a potential five-tool player. He is a pure hitter with very good hand-eye coordination who doesn't strike out too often. He can drive balls to all fields with an easy, loose, lefthanded swing. Dahl is a line-drive hitter, who occasionally will get away from that approach and try to hit home runs and attack pitches not in his hitting zone. He has extremely fast hands and has shown the ability to turn on inside fastballs in the low to mid-90s, an indication he will hit for power. He has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs if he reaches his ceiling. Dahl is a good bunter and being an above-average runner helps him maximize that part of his game. He's a gifted center fielder. He runs down balls without fear, running into walls twice in the same week while making catches at Modesto and charging and diving for balls without hesitation. Dahl's instincts, first-step quickness and routes are all above-average. He has an above-average arm that is very accurate. Dahl's misspent 2013 season was a good teaching tool as far as dealing with and overcoming adversity and helping him mature. He could begin 2015 at Modesto but at some point during the season should reach Double-A New Britain. Toward the end of the 2016 season, Dahl could reach the big leagues where he has the potential to hit first, second or third in the lineup.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #6 prospect in 2014
  Drafted 10th overall in 2012, Dahl is the first high school outfielder the Rockies ever selected with their first pick. After signing for $2.6 million, he won MVP honors in the 2012 Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he had a 27-game hitting streak and batted a league-leading .379. But 2013 was a lost season. He played Opening Night at low Class A Asheville, but afterward the Rockies sent him to extended spring training, a disciplinary measure for making his own airline reservation out of spring training. Dahl returned to Asheville on April 29, but a week later he tore his right hamstring running to first base and didn't play the rest of the season. Lower back soreness developed during his rehab, keeping him from participating in instructional league. Dahl is a pure hitter with exceptional hand-eye coordination and the ability to make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat and even pitch to pitch, which is rare for a young player. He has extra-base power that should yield 15-20 homers annually in the big leagues, and his above-average speed will yield leg hits, further raising his average. He has five-tool ability and profiles as a No. 3 hitter. Dahl has a plus arm and covers a lot of ground in center field, where he has plus potential. Chastened, humbled and presumably more mature, he'll return to Asheville to begin 2014 but could reach high Class A Modesto during the season.
• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #2 prospect in 2013
  The Pirates agreed to a predraft deal to take Dahl with the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft, then switched gears and opted for Mark Appel, who didn't sign. The Rockies grabbed Dahl at No. 10, making him the first high school outfielder they've ever taken with their first pick and their first prep position player in the first round since Chris Nelson in 2004. After signing for $2.6 million, Dahl won MVP honors in the Rookie-level Pioneer League after topping the circuit in batting (.379), hits (106), extra-base hits (41), total bases (175) and slugging (.625). Dahl is a pure hitter with exceptional hand-eye coordination and the rare ability for a young player to make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat and even pitch to pitch. He also offers power that will include a lot of doubles and triples and 15-20 homers per year in the big leagues. He hits lefthanders well, and his above-average speed will lead to leg hits that will further boost his average. He needs to get better reads to steal bases. Dahl has a plus arm and covers a lot of ground in center field. His routes and reads need work, but he has the potential to be a Gold Glove outfielder. Dahl profiles as a No. 3 hitter with five-tool ability. He should be able to handle the jump to low Class A Asheville at age 19.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #12 prospect in 2012 draft
  In terms of tools, Dahl rivals South Florida prep Albert Almora in many ways, though Almora's intangibles give him an edge over Dahl, an Auburn signee. A lefthanded hitter, Dahl fits the center-field profile with plus speed, an athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound body and a cannon arm that earns above-average grades. His overall package elicits comparisons to Jeremy Hermida (as an amateur) and Andy Van Slyke. Dahl shined during the East Coast Pro Showcase, where his balanced, smooth swing and above-average bat speed helped him handle quality pitching, and teamed with Mississippi prep outfielder D.J. Davis on a travel team that played fall games against junior-college competition, at times dominating older pitching. He showed opposite-field power throughout the showcase circuit, though some scouts question how much usable, game power he has and would have doubts if he moved to a corner. They also aren't all sold on his instincts to be a center fielder, though most believe he'll stick in the position. Dahl's biggest weakness is his low-energy demeanor. Some scouts consider him simply unmotivated by middling high school competition, while others see a low motor and question his desire to be great. The tools are all there for a first-round power/speed center fielder.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #4 prospect in 2016
  Dahl showed the same all-around skill set that the Rockies coveted when they selected him 10th overall in 2012. When he reached the majors in late July, he tied a rookie record by collecting a hit in his first 17 games. Dahl made small adjustments this year that produced big results. He worked to improve his balance in the batter's box and to make the barrel of his bat flatter through the hitting zone. He has plus speed that plays both on the basepaths and in center field. He can stick in center field thanks to his acceleration and instincts but also has a strong, accurate arm that could serve him well in a corner.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #11 prospect in 2015
  Dahl, the Rockies' No. 1 prospect heading into the season, had the beginning of his first upper-level test at New Britatin cut short when he ruptured his spleen during an outfield collision. He elected to have his spleen surgically removed, which cost him five weeks but safeguarded against further damage to the organ should he have another collision. When he was on the field, Dahl rewarded the Rockies for challenging him at the upper levels at a young age. After a slow start in April he hit well in May and, after recovering from the surgery, did so again in July. Rival evaluators saw a player with quick hands that he kept inside the ball and used to spray line drives all over the field. He doesn't project for a ton of home run power (although playing in Colorado will certainly help that cause), but he has plenty of gap power in his bat. Dahl gets good jumps in the outfield and has plenty of range and closing speed to make catches on balls that might not be in the reach of others center fielders. After an injury-laden season, Dahl probably will return to the EL in 2016, when the Rockies affiliate shifts to Hartford, Conn.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #7 prospect in 2014
  A suspension, torn hamstring and back injury ruined Dahl's first trip to Asheville in 2013. Finally healthy, he returned to the SAL and re-established himself as one of the better center-field prospects in the game, showing an above-average glove, above-average speed and an advanced bat. Dahl can play the small game, dropping the occasional bunt for a hit, but he's more adept at using his fast hands and flat swing plane to smoke line drives. His approach emphasizes hitting for average over home-run power, but he did demonstrate an ability to turn on velocity. Through the years, an inability to hit for average has undermined many intriguing center-field prospects with power/speed potential, but Dahl faces fewer questions about his hit tool than most, with scouts instead wondering how much power he'll eventually show.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #1 prospect in 2012
  Dahl had a predraft deal to go No. 8 overall to the Pirates, but that fell through when Mark Appel dropped to Pittsburgh, paving the way for the Rockies to grab Dahl at No. 10 and sign him for $2.6 million. The fourth-youngest regular in the circuit, he topped the Pioneer League in batting (.379), hits (106), extra-base hits (41), total bases (175), slugging (.625) and OPS (1.048). What sets Dahl apart is a plate approach that's advanced for his age. His swing stays through the ball consistently, hits with power to all fields and understands how pitchers are trying to get him out. He'll chase pitches above the strike zone at times but has the ingredients to be a plus hitter with above-average power. Dahl has all the tools to play center in the majors, including plus speed and arm strength, but he needs to work on reading balls off the bat. He also has to improve his jumps on the bases, which could make him a legitimate threat to steal 30 or mor ebases annually. "When you combine his mechanics with his mental approach, you get an impact-type player," Grand Junction manager Tony Diaz said. "I feel like he can be a Grady Sizemore or some type of player like that."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #39 prospect in 2016
• Ranked Baseball America's #22 prospect in 2015
• Ranked Baseball America's #94 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2013

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  The Rockies never had taken a high school outfielder with their first pick before drafting Dahl 10th overall in 2012 and signing him for $2.6 million, He won MVP honors in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in his 2012 debut, hitting a league-leading .379 with a 27-game hitting streak and 1.048 OPS. But 2013 was a lost season. After Dahl played Opening Day for low Class A Asheville, the Rockies sent him to extended spring training, a disciplinary measure for making his own airline reservation out of spring training. He returned to Asheville in late April but a week later suffered a season-ending torn right hamstring while running to first base. During his rehab, he developed lower back soreness that prevented him from participating in instructional league. Dahl returned to Asheville in 2014 seeking to be a team leader and he fulfilled that goal. After his long layoff, he was understandably rusty early in the season, but after hitting .368/.395/.513 in 117 at-bats to begin the second half, he earned a promotion to high Class A Modesto where he hit safely in his final 12 games. The Rockies wanted to give Dahl playoff experience and boost Asheville's chances in the postseason, so he returned there for the final two games of the regular season and then helped the Tourists win the South Atlantic League championship by hitting .367/.424/.700 in seven playoff games. Dahl is a potential five-tool player. He is a pure hitter with very good hand-eye coordination who doesn't strike out too often. He can drive balls to all fields with an easy, loose, lefthanded swing. Dahl is a line-drive hitter, who occasionally will get away from that approach and try to hit home runs and attack pitches not in his hitting zone. He has extremely fast hands and has shown the ability to turn on inside fastballs in the low to mid-90s, an indication he will hit for power. He has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs if he reaches his ceiling. Dahl is a good bunter and being an above-average runner helps him maximize that part of his game. He's a gifted center fielder. He runs down balls without fear, running into walls twice in the same week while making catches at Modesto and charging and diving for balls without hesitation. Dahl's instincts, first-step quickness and routes are all above-average. He has an above-average arm that is very accurate. Dahl's misspent 2013 season was a good teaching tool as far as dealing with and overcoming adversity and helping him mature. He could begin 2015 at Modesto but at some point during the season should reach Double-A New Britain. Toward the end of the 2016 season, Dahl could reach the big leagues where he has the potential to hit first, second or third in the lineup.
• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Pirates agreed to a predraft deal to take Dahl with the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft, then switched gears and opted for Mark Appel, who didn't sign. The Rockies grabbed Dahl at No. 10, making him the first high school outfielder they've ever taken with their first pick and their first prep position player in the first round since Chris Nelson in 2004. After signing for $2.6 million, Dahl won MVP honors in the Rookie-level Pioneer League after topping the circuit in batting (.379), hits (106), extra-base hits (41), total bases (175) and slugging (.625). Scouting Report: Dahl is a pure hitter with exceptional hand-eye coordination and the rare ability for a young player to make adjustments from at-bat to at-bat and even pitch to pitch. He also offers power that will include a lot of doubles and triples and 15-20 homers per year in the big leagues. He hits lefthanders well, and his above-average speed will lead to leg hits that will further boost his average. He needs to get better reads to steal bases. Dahl has a plus arm and covers a lot of ground in center field. His routes and reads need work, but he has the potential to be a Gold Glove outfielder. The Future: Dahl profiles as a No. 3 hitter with five-tool ability. He should be able to handle the jump to low Class A Asheville at age 19.