Colorado Rockies Countdown: Top Five Third Basemen

4.  Jeff Cirillo (2000-2001, fWAR 6.9)

A Pasadena native, Jeff Cirillo was sent to the Colorado Rockies during the 1999 winter meetings via a three-team trade between Colorado, Oakland and Milwaukee. Among Rockies to ever man the hot corner, Cirillo ranks first in on-base percentage (.379) and average (.320). Cirillo didn’t bring a lot of pop to the position, however, as he ranks last on our list in home runs with only 28. For context purposes, Charlie Hayes hit 35 home runs in 200 fewer at-bats.

Like Hayes, Cirillo’s tenure in Colorado was short, but also very sweet as he made the All-Star Game in his first year on Blake Street. Cirillo would last only one more year in purple pinstripes. The reasoning for not holding on to Cirillo can be that the Rockies weren’t contending and they would acquire the franchise’s best closer in Brian Fuentes via Cirillo’s departure.

While hitting for average, Cirillo excelled on defense. In 295 games, Jeff only made 22 total errors. In regards to base running, a much underappreciated ability indeed, Cirillo is the only one our list with a positive FanGraphs base running score (BsR).

Also like Hayes, Cirillo enjoyed a great 14-year Major League career, making stops with six different clubhouses. Originally an 11th-round draft pick by the Brewers, only twice in his career did Cirillo posted a negative WAR (none while in Colorado). Cirillo would play his last game on September 30, 2007 against the Rockies as a member of the Diamondbacks.

Next: 2006 Rockies Player of the Year