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3 things we want for the Colorado Rockies from Santa Claus

By Kevin Henry |
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 21: Santa Claus delivers the first pitch at the Christmas in July baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on July 21, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 21: Santa Claus delivers the first pitch at the Christmas in July baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field on July 21, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Santa Claus attends Christmas at The Grove: A Festive Tree Lighting celebration at The Grove on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Santa Claus attends Christmas at The Grove: A Festive Tree Lighting celebration at The Grove on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images) /

When Saint Nick comes down the chimney at Coors Field later tonight, I’m sure he’ll find the cookies and milk left behind by Dinger. Hopefully he will also find a list of gift ideas left behind by the Colorado Rockies.

Now certainly there are plenty of things that the Colorado Rockies could have requested from Santa Claus. Among them, maybe, just maybe, are a few teams willing to make some trades and relieve some of the budget crunch. Oh, and another catcher would be nice as well. We would ask for a lot more (including a winning record, playoff berth, World Series win, all of that) … but we know those gifts likely won’t come until a new television contract kicks in after this season.

Also, Santa, would you mind getting rid of all of these Nolan Arenado rumors as well? That would be one of the best gifts Rockies fans could receive.

OK, maybe we’re asking for too much. Let’s focus on just three things that would be great for the big man in red to leave behind before he zooms back to the North Pole. And these are also things some of which can happen now … and some can happen in 2020.

We’ve made our list and we’ve checked it twice. Here’s our wish list from Santa Claus.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 16: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with his team in the dugout after hitting a second inning two-run homer against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on August 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 16: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with his team in the dugout after hitting a second inning two-run homer against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on August 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Continued growth from Ryan McMahon

Lost in a lot of the frustration of last year’s 71-91 mark, Ryan McMahon took a huge leap forward in his development.

McMahon, who just turned 25 earlier this month, slashed .250/.329/.450 with 24 home runs and 83 RBI in 141 games last season. His marks for homers and RBI were a franchise record by a primary second baseman.

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And it isn’t just at the plate where McMahon made an impact last season.

We know the left side of the infield is secure with Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. McMahon, however, brought a sense of security on the right side with his defense. Daniel Murphy’s issues at first base have been well documented. McMahon’s range and abilities made a difference last season, much like DJ LeMahieu did during his tenure at Coors Field.

Was McMahon on LeMahieu’s level defensively? No, but that’s the hope eventually as he continues to grow in his role.

The growth Rockies fans saw from McMahon from 2018 to 2019 was impressive. Now, likely entering 2020 as the starter at second base and free from a great deal of competition for that spot (unlike last season), what kind of growth will McMahon show this season? If it as anywhere near the same level as 2019, it could be an extremely special season for RyMac.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 18: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball in the first inning of a MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 18, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 18: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball in the first inning of a MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 18, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

A Gold Glove season from Trevor Story

I talked about Ryan McMahon’s defense in the last slide. Another player who continues to make strides in his infield defense is Trevor Story.

After not being a Gold Glove finalist in 2018, Story made the leap into the shortstop finalist category last season. The next logical step, of course, is for Story to unseat Nick Ahmed as the Gold Glove winner.

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As my colleague Noah Yingling pointed out in this article, Story was second last season among National League shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), according to Fangraphs, with 17. He and Nolan Arenado have become one of the better defensive tandems in Major League Baseball.

And there is still so much room for growth from Story. Twice a Silver Slugger and twice an All-Star, Story is often recognized for his bat. However, it’s Gold Glove-caliber-winning defense that could be the next plateau for Story to conquer in 2020

17 Jun 2001: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies at bat during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rockies defeated the Reds 4-2.Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /Allsport
17 Jun 2001: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies at bat during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Rockies defeated the Reds 4-2.Mandatory Credit: Mark Lyons /Allsport /

Continued votes for Larry Walker for the Hall of Fame

There has been a surge in early voting for Larry Walker to reach Cooperstown. Now it’s a matter of that surge continuing.

Last season, Walker received votes on 54.6 percent of the ballots from Hall of Fame voters. It was a nice jump from the 34.1 percent the five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner received in 2018.

Of course, that’s short of the 75 percent needed for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, early projections are showing Walker could be inducted among baseball’s immortals in 2020.

It is going to take more voters putting Walker on their ballots in order for that to happen and for the Walker Wave to continue. So Santa, could you deliver some more of those votes along with the gifts you’re distributing?

Next. 3 player comparisons who prove Larry Walker belongs in the Hall of Fame. dark

Oh, and could you also make sure those who have a Coors Field bias and think one of the game’s 100 greatest players ever doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame end up on your naughty list?

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