Colorado Rockies: Top 5 First Basemen in Franchise History

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 30: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies stands at first base in the ninth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on August 30, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies beat the Reds 9-6. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Honorable Mention: Daniel Murphy (0.3 bWAR, -0.2 fWAR, 1 season as a Rockie)

Since the Rockies haven’t had many people play first base in their franchise’s history, Daniel Murphy nearly made the list.

However, due to injury, salary for his contract ($20 million), and below-average defense, Ben Paulsen just narrowly beat him out.

Number 1: Todd Helton (61.8 bWAR, 54.9 fWAR, 17 seasons as a Rockie)

There was never any doubt about this one. The Rockies have played 27 seasons and Todd Helton played first base for 17 of those.

He was a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, three-time Gold Glove Award winner, he came in 2nd in the Rookie of the Year Award voting (Kerry Wood won), and he garnered MVP votes in six different seasons.

His best season was the 2000 season, when he led the league in hits (216), doubles (59), RBI (147), batting average (.372), on-base percentage (.463), slugging percentage (.698), OPS (1.162), and total bases (405). However, he came in 5th in NL MVP voting.

He became eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019 and in 2020, on his second ballot, he garnered 29 percent of the vote.

He is, without question, the best first baseman in Rockies’ history and perhaps, in the near future, a Baseball Hall of Famer.

Colorado Rockies: Top 5 First Basemen in Franchise History

More from Rox Pile

Honorable Mention: Daniel Murphy (0.3 bWAR, -0.2 fWAR, 1 season as a Rockie)

Number 1: Todd Helton (61.8 bWAR, 54.9 fWAR, 17 seasons as a Rockie)

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