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Colorado Rockies: The 10 best players in franchise history

By Daniel Wettstein II

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) /
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DENVER, CO – JUNE 18: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies wipes his forehead after sustaining a cut while celebrating hitting a 3 RBI walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on June 18, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JUNE 18: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies wipes his forehead after sustaining a cut while celebrating hitting a 3 RBI walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on June 18, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

2. Nolan Arenado(Rockies Career WAR 39.5)

Nolan being Nolan, that’s what this photo portrays. Nolan does what he wants on the field. He not only has the ability to be the best Rockie of All-Time but the best third-baseman and possibly overall player ever.

He has been the starting 3B on the NL All-Star team for 5 consecutive years. he has won a Gold Glove at 3B in the NL every year he has been in the league (7 consecutive years, the record is 9 by Mike Schmidt from ’76-’84). But even the great Mike Schmidt didn’t win his first GG until his 5th season, Nolan already had 5 by his 5th. The record for most Gold Glove’s also belongs to Schmidt with 10, which means Nolan should obliterate that record. He’s also a true iron man, as he already has played more games in a Rockies uniform than just 6 other players.

I haven’t even gotten to his offensive prowess, where he is no slouch. Having 5 consecutive years of 37+ HR/110+ RBI. His batting average has not dropped below .289 since his rookie season. His best year came in 2016 when he led the NL in Total Bases (352), RBI (133), HR (41), and games played (160). He slashed .294/.362/.570 for an OPS+ of 129 and WAR of 5.9. He also had an All-Star Game start at third, his 4th consecutive Gold Glove, and 2nd of 4 consecutive Silver Slugger awards.

The only argument that can be made as he should just be put at 1, but I think you may change that once you see who is numero uno.

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