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Rockies’ Ian Desmond trying to reshape himself as a hitter and leader

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SAN FRANCISCO — An Iron Mike pitching machine sits inside the barn on Ian Desmond‘s property in his native Sarasota, Fla.

It’s not just a tool that spits out fastballs; it’s a symbol of Desmond’s quest to become a better hitter, the kind of hitter the Rockies hoped they were getting when they signed him to a five-year, $70 million contract prior to the 2017 season.

It remains the biggest free-agent contract ever for a Rockies position player, and along with the big contract came the weight of being a leader on a new team.