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Colorado Rockies: The most surprising players of the 2017 season

By Brady Vernon

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 04: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies (center) and bench coach Mike Redmond #11 watch the action during the first inning of the National League Wild Card game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 04: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies (center) and bench coach Mike Redmond #11 watch the action during the first inning of the National League Wild Card game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Mark Reynolds of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 20: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies watches his RBI sacrifice fly during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field on August 20, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Good: Mark Reynolds

148 G, 30 HR, 97 RBI, .267/.352/.487, .839 OPS

At one point in his career, Mark Reynolds was feared by pitchers. He posted three straight seasons of 30-plus home runs. Of course, that was seven years ago. In 2016, the first baseman only had 14 home runs in his debut season with the Rockies. This year, however, he was a driving force with 97 RBI after having a combined 143 RBI the last three seasons.

With the signing of Desmond, it seemed like Reynolds would be a platoon player at best. Don’t forget that he signed a minor league contract and wasn’t guaranteed to make the team coming out of spring training. In the end, due to Desmond’s struggles and injuries, it worked out for Reynolds and the Rockies as he was the third piece to a stacked lineup alongside Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon.

Next: Which free agents could return to Colorado in 2018?

There is bad news to Reynolds having a late breakout year. He is once again set to be a free agent this offseason. The Rockies will have to make a decision on whether or not Reynolds will be worth the price of bringing back. The 33-year-old had his best season since 2011 but his age is up there. Can he produce like this again? Only time will time if the Rockies’ biggest surprise will be back next year.

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