This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding's Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Rockies’ daily lineup is a combination of cornerstone pieces and players vying to be a part of the future. Not falling into either category is veteran outfielder Jake Cave, yet he is a better fit than conventional wisdom would have it.

Cave, 31, has been to the postseason three times: in 2019 and '20 with the Twins and last year with the Phillies -- the résumé of a versatile player who can do specific tasks for contending teams. The Rockies aren’t expected to contend, but they obtained Cave for cash considerations at the end of Spring Training.

The year began with Cave mostly used as a pinch-hitter and late defensive replacement. But from June 4 through Thursday, Cave made 13 starts in 15 games and held his own with a .244 average and a .333 on-base percentage. Part of the reason was that outfielder Sean Bouchard missed time with a right ankle sprain, but Cave’s presence also allowed the Rockies to slow the playing time of Hunter Goodman, who was playing mostly right field but was struggling.

Goodman sharpened his swing and has hit .353 (6-for-14) with three homers and seven RBIs since rejoining the lineup when Elias Díaz sustained a left calf strain. With injuries and the struggles of younger players, Cave has proven a valuable option.

Maybe more importantly for the Rockies, Cave sets an example.

“He does things to help a team win,” manager Bud Black said. “When younger players see how he plays, they can model themselves after that type of at-bat that he gives late in the game -- the defensive play, the importance of the energy he brings, the ball-talk he brings. Without even knowing it, he’s teaching.

“This is not a tryout camp where everybody plays. Guys are getting their looks and we’re evaluating guys and hope they’re getting better, but there’s a respect factor for veteran players who want to win games.”

Cave’s fire was on display when he protested a check-swing call that extended the game and gave the Dodgers the opportunity to score seven ninth-inning runs in the Rockies’ loss on Tuesday night.

However, Cave's energy is more seen than heard. This week against the Dodgers, he singled and scored the winning run Wednesday, then knocked a two-run single in a comeback that fell short on Thursday.

“I want to succeed in any situation that I’m given -- coming into the game, playing once every few days or playing every day,” Cave said, days before the outburst that endeared him to Rockies fans. “If I can set an example without specifically talking about that example, that’s the goal. I want to show up at the yard every day, be a good teammate and play hard.”

Most years since debuting in the Majors in 2018, Cave has bounced between the Majors and Triple-A. Last year, he played 59 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley yet made the Phils’ playoff roster. His career can be inspiration for those yo-yoing between the Majors and Triple-A.

“I’ve had times when I’ve gone down to the Minor Leagues and played with guys before that get real mad that they’re sent down,” Cave said. “Then they’re not producing. I’ve always been the type that I don’t see anything in moping, that there’s anything good that can come of that.”

Bouchard, who has been up and down and injured this season, seeks Cave’s mentorship.

“He’s done a little bit of everything,” Bouchard said. “He’s been on good teams and not-so-good teams. For a lot of us, we haven’t had that success. So having been around some of the Phillies and some of the winners, he’s like, ‘This is what they do, how they conduct themselves, how they go about trying to face a pitcher, how to deal with crazy games then come back the next day.’”

Will a contending team value Cave’s experience enough to deal for him at the July 30 Trade Deadline? Either way, Cave believes he can win with the team he’s with.

“There are a lot of really good things I’ve seen -- guys with star-quality potential,” Cave said. “Ezequiel Tovar is amazing. Ryan McMahon is amazing. Brenton Doyle is amazing. I’ve watched Charlie Blackmon play forever; he’s playing well and guys look up to him. We had a stretch where we were winning big games. I love being here.

“I want to keep helping us win. If me playing really well means they get a chance to do something to benefit the club, I understand that, too.”