Fansided
Rox Pile

Colorado Rockies Countdown: Top Five Right Fielders

By James Keating

Aug 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the cap and glove of Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) (not pictured) in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the cap and glove of Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) (not pictured) in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
May 26, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) singles to shallow left allowing two runners to score and a man to advance during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer (23) singles to shallow left allowing two runners to score and a man to advance during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

2.  Michael Cuddyer (2012-2014, fWAR 4.2)

After 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, the team that drafted him in the first round, Michael Cuddyer made his way to Colorado via free agency prior to the 2012 season.

At the age of 34, Cuddyer had the best hitting season of his career while with Colorado in 2013. During that campaign, Cuddyer hit 16 first-half home runs, earning him a spot on the National League Home Run Derby squad. Cuddy’s 15 total bombs in the derby were good enough to earn him a third-place finish. That was the best finish in a Derby by a Rockie since Larry Walker‘s 1997 second place finish in Cleveland.

Cuddyer went on to finish 2013 with a .331 average, which earned him the National League Batting Title, a 20th place finish in the MVP vote, and also the only Silver Slugger award of his career. Michael would hit in 27 consecutive games that season, which was at the time a franchise record (you can find the new record holder occupying the #2 spot on our third baseman list).

In 2014 the Rockies honeymoon came to an end when Michael’s season was ended early by injury and then choose to move on during the free agency process. But, before his exit Cuddy provided one more spark of magic. In an August game against Cincinnati, Cuddy would hit for the cycle for the second time in his career, becoming the seventh Rockie to accomplish the feat. Cuddyer is only the 30th player to hit for the cycle more than once, and only the third to do it in both the American and National Leagues.

In 2015, Cuddyer would play his last season as a New York Met. Making his first ever World Series appearance. At the conclusion of 2015, Cuddy announced his retirement from the game he loves.

Home/Colorado Rockies All-Time Lists