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Colorado Rockies: Top Five Third Basemen in Franchise History

By Noah Yingling

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies plays third base during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 12: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies plays third base during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – CIRCA 1996: Vinny Castilla #9 of the Colorado Rockies looks to make a throw to first base during aN Major League Baseball game circa 1996 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Castilla played for the Rockies from 1993-99 and in 2004 and 2006. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – CIRCA 1996: Vinny Castilla #9 of the Colorado Rockies looks to make a throw to first base during aN Major League Baseball game circa 1996 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Castilla played for the Rockies from 1993-99 and in 2004 and 2006. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Number 2: Vinny Castilla (17.5 bWAR, 15.7 fWAR, parts of 9 seasons as a Rockie)

Vinny Castilla was an original Colorado Rockie, like Charlie Hayes, but at first, he played shortstop for the Rockies in 1993. He was mainly relegated to the bench in 1994 due to the acquisition of Walt Weiss to play shortstop.

When Hayes left after 1994, though, the Rockies turned to Castilla to replace him. Obviously, that ended up being an excellent decision for the Rockies and great for Castilla. The Rockies moved to Coors Field that season and along with Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, Andres Galarraga, and Ellis Burks, Castilla became a part of the Blake Street Bombers.

In 1995, he hit 32 home runs and 90 RBI with an OPS+ of 113. He also became an All-Star for the first time, came in 18th in NL MVP voting, and won an NL Silver Slugger Award.

In the next four seasons, Castilla averaged 40 home runs, 118 RBI, and a slash line of .301/.348/.541. In those four seasons, he was an All-Star once more, won two Silver Slugger Awards, and ranked twice in NL MVP voting.

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Dealin’ Dan O’Dowd traded Castilla to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Rolando Arrojo and Aaron Ledesma on the same day he acquired Jeff Cirillo from Milwaukee to replace him.

Castilla suffered knee injuries in Tampa due to the turf playing surface so they traded him to Houston and later, Castilla played for the Braves but he hadn’t returned to his former ways.

He returned to the Rockies in 2004 where he returned to his former glory as he hit 35 home runs and had a league-leading 131 RBI along with a slash line of .271/.332/.535 and an OPS+ of 109. He came in 22nd in NL MVP voting. It was the first time he had an OPS+ above 100 for a full season or 100+ RBI in a season since he had left the Rockies.

He left the Rockies again but this time, via free agency. He went to the Nationals (for their first season in Washington, D.C.) and the Padres before returning to the Rockies for a third time in late 2006, where he finished out his career.

Now, he is a special assistant with the Rockies front office and also helps with occasional coaching. He also was part of Kingsford’s Taste of the Game cookbook with recipes from players of each of the 30 teams. We talked to him exclusively in a conversation about that, his baseball career, what he’s doing now, and what may be in store for him in the future. You can read here.

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