Colorado Rockies: 3 stats where Nolan Arenado could top Larry Walker in 2021

With a season like he has produced in the past at the plate, Nolan Arenado could surpass Larry Walker on the Colorado Rockies all-time leaderboard in these three categories in 2021.

There is no question that Colorado Rockies All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado suffered through a down season in 2020. Inflammation in his left AC joint began in late July after Arenado suffered a shoulder injury diving for a ball during Colorado’s second series of the season in Oakland. The injury not only caused Arenado’s swing to be off (finishing with a disappointing .253/.303/.434 slash line and just eight homers and 26 RBI), but also ended what was an already-shortened season with eight games to play.

Of course, there is a lot we don’t know about the 2021 season, including how many games will be played and perhaps even if Arenado will be a part of the team (spoiler alert, we think he will when the season begins). However, numbers always tell a story and, with that in mind, we take a look ahead to how Arenado could move up the ranks on several of Colorado’s all-time lists next year.

We thought it would be interesting to focus on just three categories for next season and show how Arenado (entering his ninth season in Colorado) could pass Hall of Famer Larry Walker (who played for 10 seasons with the Rockies) in those categories.

Hits

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Entering the 2021 season, Arenado sits tied for sixth on Colorado’s all-time hit with Vinny Castilla at 1,206. Meanwhile, Walker is second all-time for the Rockies with 1,361. That’s a difference of 155. With his 156th hit in 2021 (a number he more than accomplished in the five seasons before the 2020 campaign), Arenado would not only pass Walker, but also Castilla, Dante Bichette, and Carlos Gonzalez.

There’s also another guy between Arenado and Walker on that hit list. That’s Charlie Blackmon, who comes in fourth currently at 1,311 hits. So Arenado may pass Walker this year, but Blackmon may be second on the list when the season ends, and both well behind Todd Helton’s 2,519 hits.

Home runs

Arenado currently stands fourth on Colorado’s home run list with 235. Walker is second with 258 (behind Helton’s 369). With 24 homers in 2021 (a number he passed easily in the five seasons prior to 2020), Arenado would not only pass Walker but also Castilla (239).

Total bases

With 2,227 total bases, Arenado is fourth all-time in Rockies history in that category. With 294 total bases in 2021, Arenado would not only pass Gonzalez (2,366) but Walker as well (2,520). Once again, Arenado topped 294 in the five seasons before 2020, so it’s certainly possible.

With a “normal” season from Arenado, all three opportunities to pass Walker on the charts are very possible. But will 2021 be a “normal season?” That’s one of the things we’ll be watching when the 2021 campaign begins, whatever it may look like.