For a short time, David Dahl looked like he would grow into one of the best five-tool players in baseball.
Instead, the one-time Colorado Rockies All Star ended up with a more wandering journey through MLB and the minor leagues, but one still worth celebrating.
Dahl's journey has officially ended. He announced his retirement from professional baseball on Wednesday with a heartfelt post on social media:
Baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember. From being a kid in Alabama chasing a lifelong dream to stepping foot on a big-league field…after 13 seasons and several months to reflect on it, it’s officially time for the next chapter.
— David Dahl (@ddahl21) December 10, 2025
Thank you, baseball. Pic.twitter.com/ukcWCJfdN9
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Dahl came to pro ball as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Alabama.
He spent four seasons on the top-100 prospect lists for Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and MLB Pipeline, and he played in the 2016 Futures Game.
Dahl made his MLB debut in 2016 and in 63 games batted.315 with 12 doubles, four triples, seven homers and five steals.
He played 77 games at the MLB level in 2018 and hit 16 home runs, then hit 15 homers in 100 games in 2019 in the majors.
Injuries had begun to take their toll, though.
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Dahl would play for the Texas Rangers, the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies, too.
He last took to a pro field for regular season action in 2024 with the Phillies and with their Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley.
Dahl concluded his MLB career with 46 home runs, a.268 average and a.773 OPS.
Injuries stopped him from ever reaching the heights expected of him.
But Dahl had his journey anyway, one he had always dreamed of.
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