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Colorado Rockies Countdown: Top Five Shortstops

By James Keating

Jul 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the sunset in the sixth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the sunset in the sixth inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Clint Barmes (12) hits a double in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Clint Barmes (12) hits a double in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

2.  Clint Barmes (2003-2010, fWAR 4.6)

The always professional and classy Clint Barmes almost didn’t make our list at shortstop, but rather as a second baseman, but thanks to injuries to starters, Barmes played more innings at the six spot than at the four. Barmes was instrumental in some of the Rockies greatest teams, namely the 2007 and 2009 playoff squads.

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The Rockies drafted Clint in the 10th-round of the 2000 draft. Barmes would make his debut only three years later in September of the 2003 campaign. Offensively speaking, Clint never hit for a high average (.254 in eight years in Denver) but did bring some pop to the middle infield. Barmes ranks second all-time among Rockie shortstops with 61 career home runs. The high HR total isn’t due to just more playing time either, Barmes ranks second in isolated power at .150. Clint can also be regarded as the greatest base runner of the Rockies shortstops as he by far away leading in BsR with a score of 15.1.

Not being able to hit for average can most likely be the reason he ended up playing for five different organizations (never made it to the Majors with Kansas City) before he retired in May of this year. Barmey will also be admired for helping return Colorado to the post-season. After his days in purple ended, Barmes followed ex-skipper Clint Hurdle to Pittsburgh, and although he only hit .224 in three seasons, he played a vital part in helping that city return to the playoffs after a decades-long absence.

Useless baseball trivia fact: Clint Barmes is the nephew of Bruce Barmes, who played 5 games for the Washington Senators (going 1-for-5 at the dish) in 1953 at age 23 as a right fielder.

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