Rox Pile
Fansided

Colorado Rockies: Top Five Left Fielders In Franchise History

By Noah Yingling

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 19: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with Corey Dickerson #6 after hitting a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park July 19, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 19: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with Corey Dickerson #6 after hitting a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park July 19, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
14 Jun 1998: Ellis Burks #26 of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 3-2.
14 Jun 1998: Ellis Burks #26 of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 3-2. /

Number 4: Ellis Burks (12.0 bWAR, 12.6 fWAR, parts of five seasons as a Rockie)

The Rockies signed Ellis Burks to a five-year contract before the start of the 1994 season. Signing with the Rockies reunited him with his former Boston Red Sox teammates Don Baylor and Dwight Evans, who were the Rockies manager and hitting coach in 1994.

He only played in 42 games in 1994 due to a wrist injury and the 1994-95 strike and when play resumed in 1995, the former American League All-Star was essentially a 4th outfielder as he only played in 103 games roving between the three outfield positions. He also only played in two of the four playoff games the Rockies played in 1995.

In 1996, he got more playing time and that ’96 is the sole reason why he is on this list. It was his only season as primary left fielder as in the other seasons, he mainly played center field. However, in 1996, he got 7.9 bWAR and 7.2 fWAR due to his phenomenal season.

In 156 games, he led the NL in runs (142) and he hit 40 home runs and had 128 RBI with a slash line of .344/.408/.639 with an OPS+ of 149. He was an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger Award, and came in third in NL MVP voting.

He still played well in 1997 and early 1998 but not to the level that he did in 1996. He also played more center field than left field.

In the final year of his contract (1998), the Rockies traded him to the San Francisco Giants for the-late Darryl Hamilton and two minor leaguers.

Home/Colorado Rockies All-Time Lists