Colorado Rockies History: Wilin Rosario or Jeff Reed at Catcher?

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Jun 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Wilin Rosario (20) in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Wilin Rosario (Call to the Pen’s choice)

It’s safe to say that Rockies fans are going to remember Wilin Rosario more for what he couldn’t do (field a baseball) rather than for what he could do (hit a baseball). Rosario, who was affectionately referred to as the “baby bull” in Denver, was brought up in the Rockies organization as a top slugging prospect. But after leading the league in passed balls for three consecutive seasons, the front office and Rockies fans grew unimpressed.

Before he was labeled a defensive liability, however, people forget how promising Rosario was as a hitter and how he originally won our affection. In 2012, Rosario set a Colorado Rockies record for home runs by a rookie when he blasted 28 homers. Rosario would finish fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting that season. To follow up a stellar rookie campaign at the plate, Rosario would mash another 21 homers in 2013 to accompany a .292 average. Not long after that, however, Rosario’s defensive skills (or lack thereof) started to cut into his playing time and his contributions at the plate began to diminish as a result.

2015 would be Rosario’s last full season in Colorado as he only played in 87 games, hitting a meager six home runs with a .295 OBP.