Colorado Rockies: The most memorable debuts in franchise history

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DENVER, CO – MAY 07: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies hits a RBI double in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on May 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

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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.