Colorado Rockies: The most memorable debuts in franchise history

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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 22: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 22, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies have had many memorable performances from their young studs in recent years. Most notably, the young pitching staff that carried the Rockies to the playoffs in 2017.

As a mid-market team, the Rockies have always relied on the success of young players. With super prospect Brendan Rodgers set to make his debut possibly as soon as this season, we took a look back at four of the most memorable debuts in franchise history.

Todd Helton

With a near three hour game the night before, Rockies manager Don Baylor gave a few of his sluggers a rare day off because there being a day game after a night game. With Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks on the bench, highly touted prospect Todd Helton received the start in left field for his MLB debut on Saturday, August 2, 1997. The future-long time Rockie wasted no time in living up to the hype that led to the Rockies decision in moving on from stalwart First Baseman Andres Galarraga at season’s end.

After lining out in his first at bat, Helton singled to left field in the fourth inning off Pittsburgh Pirates starter Francisco Cordova, who combined to throw a no-hitter through ten innings (he threw nine of them and reliever Ricardo Rincon came on in the tenth) exactly three weeks prior. On the hit, he moved his predecessor Galarraga from first to third base.

He walked in the sixth inning and in his third at bat in the eighth inning, Helton hit his first career home run to right-center field of reliever Marc Wilkins. Helton finished the day 2-4 with a walk and five total bases. August 2, 1997 would officially mark Helton’s arrival in the MLB as he was never sent down to the minor league again (not including DL rehab assignments).

Jason Jennings

Jason Jennings holds the disticntion as the Rockies only Rookie Of the Year winner (2002). In the year prior, Jennings made seven starts in the later half of 2001. His first coming against the Mets in Shea Stadium.

Jennings, known as a workhorse for the Rockies in his six years with the team, did not disappoint. Jennings pitched a complete game, five hit shutout striking out eight while walking four. Not only did Jennings give the Rockies woeful bullpen a rest, he provided the games only home run and led the team in total bases (6). Jennings would also finish 3-for-5 at the plate. Jennings was traded in 2006 in part of the Willy Taveras deal to the Houston Astros.

Jennings will always be remembered as a workhorse (pitched over 180 innings in 5 of his 6 years with the team) and as provided hope that home grown pitchers could have success with the Rockies.

Mark Brownson

Mark Brownson only started nine games for the Rockies over two years and was out of big leagues after three seasons but, boy, did he make an entrance. Brownson outdueled future Rockie Mike Hampton by pitching a complete game shut out earning his first big league win (5-0) on July 21, 1998.

Brownson struck out seven while only walking one. Unfortunately, the magic wore off quickly for Mark. In the following season, Brownson went 0-2 with a 7.89 ERA. The Rockies did go 4-3 in his seven starts that season but was waived by the Rockies in November of 1999 and picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared twice with the Phillies before retiring due to injuries.

Brownson died on February 1, 2017 at the age of 41 after having issues with painkillers (in which he became addicted to after his injuries) and, later, heroin.

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Trevor Story

The second most recent debut on my list might have the biggest franchise impact off the field in terms of culture.

Heading into the 2016 season, starting shortstop Jose Reyes was suspended and placed on the restricted list due to an offseason domestic violence charge. At the time, Reyes was still owed more than $39 million, but the Rockies made a huge financial and moral decision in releasing Reyes and eating the rest of his contract.

That signaled the changing of culture for the Rockies, in my opinion, along with the Tulo trade. That decision was much easier to make with the emergence of Trevor Story. After a hot spring training, Story was given the nod as Opening Day starter against Zach Grienke and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Trevor started his rule over Arizona and Grienke by taking the Arizona ace deep twice. Story would finish the day 2-for-6 with 4 RBI. Story would go on to hit home runs in his first three games as a big leaguer and seven in his first six.

Kyle Freeland

Kyle Freeland made his MLB debut in a pretty game for the Rockies. As you may remember, he made his major league debut last season in the Rockies home opener against the eventual National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 23-year old Freeland would make his debut in the Rockies home opener and it was for a team that he had rooted for his entire life. He was born about a month after the Rockies first started as a team and he is a Denver native, as he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver.

He would pitch six innings while only allowing four hits and one run. He also only walked two and struck out six. He would get the victory as the Rockies won by a score of 2-1. He also got his first MLB hit in the game as he had a single of Hyun-jin Ryu in the fifth inning after a Dustin Garneau home run.

Next: What are some of the memorable trades in the Dan O'Dowd era?

Who did we miss? Who was your most memorable debut, performance wise and sentimental wise? Let us know in the comment section below.

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The Colorado Rockies have had many memorable performances from their young studs in recent years. Most notably, the young pitching staff that carried the Rockies to the playoffs in 2017.

More from Rox Pile

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