Colorado Rockies: What If They Held a WWE-Style Draft?

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Jul 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; WWE wrestlers of The New Day known as Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah (left) and Ettore Ewen (center) and Austin Watson (right) arrive on the red carpet for the 2016 ESPY Awards at Microsoft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

On Tuesday night, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) held a draft to decide which of its wrestling superstars would be featured on Monday Night RAW or Tuesday’s SmackDown Live. With the momentous draft that WWE called “one of the biggest nights in WWE history,” it got us to thinking about what would happen if the Colorado Rockies had an internal draft.

Think about it … what if the Rockies played during the regular season like they did in spring training, using a split squad at times? What would that team look like? Who would be selected to go on which side of the split?

It was a question we posed to five different Rockies fans. We asked them to give us their top five picks from the current Rockies squad … or they could even reach into the minors if they wanted to select a future Colorado player to have on their team.

We took the opinions of those five fans and combined them into a “draft order” for the top five picks. We even threw in a few of their comments so you could see why they made the choices they did.

With that in mind, here’s a look at who our five Rockies fans chose as the five Rockies they would start their new team with. See what you think about their selections. Some of them may surprise you…

Next: And the First Overall Pick Is...

Nolan Arenado

Age: 25

2016 Stats: .289 average, 23 HR, 71 RBI

OK, let’s be honest … this isn’t much of a stretch. When you think of offense and defense in conjunction with the Rockies, the All-Star third baseman is usually one of the first names to pop into your head.

At 25, Nolan is hitting the prime of his career. Every night, he seemingly makes a difficult play look easy. And that’s exactly why one of our voters selected Nolan with his overall number one pick.

“The guy is incredible,” he said. “I’d pay money just to watch him make plays in the field. There have been so many times that I’ve thought, ‘Oh there’s no way he’s getting that ball.’ And then, somehow, he does. It’s amazing.”

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Heading into Tuesday’s action, Arenado was second in Major League Baseball with 200 total bases and tied second in the National League with 49 extra-base hits. It’s just part of a long list of accolades Arenado continues to put together game after game and season after season.

Nolan was the first overall pick on all five ballots so to say he earned the number one spot in our mythical draft is an understatement.

“I love the guy,” one of the voters said. “It’s great to see him in the All-Star game and on so many of the Top 10 plays on SportsCenter.”

One of our voters had an interesting thought when she cast her ballot for Arenado.

“If I choose him with the first overall pick, will that ensure that he never plays for another team?”

Future-proofing not only your team but the Rockies franchise overall? I like the idea. Definitely points for creativity there.

Next: And the Second Overall Pick Is...

Jon Gray

Age: 24

2016 Stats: 5-4, 4.33 ERA, 103 strikeouts

In what may be a bit of a surprise, not only is Gray turning into the Colorado Rockies ace pitcher, he’s also becoming quite the fan favorite if our panel is any indication.

Gray was the second pick on three ballots and third on two others. Why?

“The Rockies have been waiting for a pitcher like him for a long time,” one voter said. “I also love how far he’s come in such a short time with the Rockies. There was a while where everyone was coming down hard on him because he hadn’t gotten a win yet. He never seemed to let it bother him and look where he is today.”

Look where he is indeed. In July, he has a 2.33 ERA, striking out 20 batters in 19.1 innings. He has eight strikeouts in three of his last four outings.

“He’s a power pitcher with a wicked slider,” one voter said. “He’s also seemed to figure out Coors Field.”

That in and of itself is worth its weight in gold. Ask any of the other so-called “franchise pitchers” for the Rockies who never figured out that secret.

Next: And the Third Overall Pick Is...

Carlos Gonzalez

Age: 30

2016 Stats: .318 average, 19 HR, 56 RBI

CarGo with the third overall pick? Our voters had him all over the place with a second overall pick, three third overall picks and a fourth overall selection.

One voter who picked Gray ahead of CarGo on her team said some of her decision was based on whether Gonzalez would still be a Colorado Rockies player after the upcoming trade deadline. Another said CarGo’s years of hitting clutch homers should be enough to push him to the second overall selection.

Charlie Blackmon

Age: 30

2016 Stats: .305 average, 12 HR, 43 RBI

Chuck Nazty is loved by Colorado Rockies fans, because of the way he plays and the way he rocks his walkup song. Even when the score isn’t favoring the Rockies, fans can be sure to belt out “TONIIIIIIIGHT” before Blackmon steps into the box.

How loved is Blackmon by not only the fans but his teammates as well? On Tuesday, he was named as the winner of the Rockies 2016 Heart and Hustle Award. One player from each team receives the honor, presented by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA).

“This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is also the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players,” the MLBPAA said in a press release.

Since June 20, he has at least one hit in 21 of 24 games and has reached base in 23 of those 24 contests. He has become one of MLB’s best leadoff hitters. That’s one of the reasons why he’s so loved … and also wanted by other teams as the trade deadline approaches.

“He hustles in the outfield, he gets on base, and then he steals bases. What more can the guy do? He’s incredible,” one voter said. “He’s made some run-saving plays in the outfield and helped the Rockies get some additional runs because of the way he steals bases. I love the guy.”

Next: And the Fifth Overall Selection Is...

Trevor Story

Age: 23

2016 Stats: .264 average, 22 HR, 59 RBI

He’s had one of the most incredible starts for any player in the history of Major League Baseball … yet Trevor Story barely made it into the Top 5 of our internal draft. David Dahl and DJ LeMahieu were knocking on the door, but Story edged them out for the final spot.

Coming into Tuesday, Story had hit safely in seven of his last eight games, hitting .360 during that span. He also led all rookies in homers (22), RBI (59) and slugging percentage (.550).

“For those first few games, Trevor Story was the talk of the entire country,” said one voter, who placed Story fourth on his ballot. “Hitting a homer in your first four games in the big leagues? Come on, that’s legendary stuff right there.”

“It’s weird thinking back to spring training and wondering who was going to be our shortstop,” another voter said. “Story came out of nowhere, took the spot, and hasn’t let go. It’s cool we can watch the franchise’s shortstop of the future develop right in front of us.”

At the age of 23, there’s still plenty of highlights and kudos ahead for Story. That’s another great reason to take him on your team, one voter reasoned.

Next: Why Trevor Story Will Be Colorado's Second-Half MVP

“Look, if I’m going to start a team, I want to start good and I want to start young,” she said. “Trevor Story is both of those.”

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Nolan Arenado

Age: 25

2016 Stats: .289 average, 23 HR, 71 RBI

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Jon Gray

Age: 24

2016 Stats: 5-4, 4.33 ERA, 103 strikeouts

Carlos Gonzalez

Age: 30

2016 Stats: .318 average, 19 HR, 56 RBI

Charlie Blackmon

Age: 30

2016 Stats: .305 average, 12 HR, 43 RBI

Trevor Story

Age: 23

2016 Stats: .264 average, 22 HR, 59 RBI

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