Blaine

Crim

Crim was claimed off waivers from the Rockies last month and wound up being cut loose to pursue a more lucrative opportunity overseas following a 21-game stint with Triple-A Round Rock. The 29-year-old first baseman hit .200 (13-for-65) with five homers and 12 RBI in 20 games between the Rangers and Rockies last year as a rookie.

Crim returns to Texas where he spent the first six seasons of his career before being claimed by Colorado off waivers last August. The 28-year-old hit .200/.270/.462 with five home runs in 20 games between the Rockies and Rangers last year. He hasn’t played in the big leagues this season due to an oblique strain. He’s merely organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Crim lost his chance to make the Rockies this spring because of an oblique strain, though he was ready for the start of the minor league season. He’s hitting .265/.339/.449 in 36 games for Triple-A Albuquerque, and he’ll remain with the club if he clears waivers.

Crim has been out since late February with a strained oblique and is still working his way back. His absence has allowed T.J. Rumfield to emerge as the likely starting first baseman in Colorado.

Crim has said that he’s never had an oblique injury before, so “he will be relying on advice from the athletic training staff.” The 28-year-old made his MLB debut last season, hitting .200/.270/.462 with five home runs in 74 MLB plate appearances. However, he did hit .281/.370/.494 with 21 home runs and four steals in 109 minor league games. If he is sidelined for an extended period of time, it would open up the door for Troy Johnston or T.J. Rumfield to win the first base job out of camp.

Rumfield was the Yankees’ 25th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, but is blocked at first base by Ben Rice. Despite being 6'5,” Rumfield is more hit-over-power and posted a .285/.378/.447 slash line in 138 games at Triple-A last year with 16 home runs and 87 RBI. He is a below-average runner and just an average defender, but there is a chance he could earn reps at first base in Colorado this year if he can beat out Troy Johnston and Blaine Crim. Of course, Charlie Condon is eventually going to take that job, but perhaps not until 2027.

Crim drew a walk to start the second inning and then scored the Rockies’ first run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kyle Karros. He then swatted a go-ahead 402-foot (100.9 mph EV) solo shot off of Caden Dana to open the fourth inning, giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead they would never relinquish. He also plated an insurance run with a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning. The 28-year-old is now hitting .214/.286/.524 with four homers and 11 RBI in his first 49 plate appearances with the Rockies.

Crim victimized Marlins’ right-hander Sandy Alcantara for a 406-foot (102.9 mph EV) solo shot in the second inning that tied the game at a run apiece. He opened the ninth inning by clobbering a 424-foot (102.5 mph EV) solo shot off of Valente Bellozo. The 28-year-old slugger is now hitting .176/.243/.471 with three homers, seven RBI and a 15/2 K/BB ratio in his first 37 plate appearances with the Rockies.

What a time to hit your first MLB homer. Crim unleashed on a J.P. Sears offering to give Colorado the 3-1 lead and lead the Rockies to their 41st victory. What do you mean it’s September 12? Crim has hit well in the minors, and this is a heck of a park fit for the 28-year-old. Obviously, fantasy managers would be still be wise to take a wait-and-see approach before investing.

Crim, 28, was claimed off of waivers from the Rangers back in August. He has mashed at the Triple-A level this season, slashing .281/.370/.494 with 21 homers and 85 RBI in 492 plate appearances. Michael Toglia was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move on Friday.