The 100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: 64 Trevor Story

These are probably some of the last days Trevor Story will have this high of a ranking on this list. It seems inevitable at this point that Trevor Story will rank among the best Colorado Rockies players of all time. Story didn’t even play an entire season in 2016 and he almost has a higher WAR than most shortstops for their entire career playing for the Rockies. Story had one of the best rookie seasons for the Rockies ever. It is a shame we didn’t get to see a full season of it. 

It’s funny to think that this time last year there was a lot of uncertainty at the shortstop position. Jose Reyes was placed on paid administration leave until May of 2016. It wasn’t all that clear who would emerge out of spring training as the Rockies replacement at shortstop because Cristhian Adames gave Story a run for his money.

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But the end of spring training, there could be no other starting shortstop. Story batted .340 in 20 spring training games and earned his spot as the starting shortstop.

You know the rest.

In 97 games, Story hit .272 with 72 RBI and maybe most impressively he hit 27 home runs. To start the season he set a rookie record hitting a home run in each of his first four games. He eventually tied the rookie record for homers in April. Story’s introduction couldn’t have been splashier.

But arguably Story’s most impressive feat of his rookie season is the way he handled the media when Reyes was scheduled to come back to the team after his suspension. It was still uncertain whether Reyes would ever play for the Rockies again. Story could have got defensive and become a distraction by making this story about him. But he didn’t and he didn’t let the rumors effect his game. His maturity is much beyond his 24 years and he deserves the starting position for his leadership alone.

Story was one of the finalist for the last All-Star spot for the National League just coming up a bit short. He finished the season with a 3.1 WAR. He broke the Rockies season rookie home run record previously held by Troy Tulowitzki. His season was cut short in August by a torn ligament in his thumb. It’s hard to imagine what Story could have accomplished in a full season. He finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Next: Why The Colorado Rockies Offense Could Be MLB’s Best This Season

Story said this spring training that he takes more pride of his defense than his offense. He’s no slouch with his glove and if he cuts down on his strikeouts who knows how far up this list he can go. Rockies’ nation can’t wait to see number 27 back in full this season.