If the Colorado Rockies trade Trevor Story, who would replace him at shortstop?

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PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 04: Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his home run in the dugout against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning of an MLB spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex on March 04, 2021 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images). /

The Colorado Rockies could be trading their franchise player, shortstop Trevor Story, in the next few months since he is a free agent at the end of the season.

If the Rockies start of the season poorly or realize that they have nary a whisper in the wind to resign Story long-term, they will likely trade him.

But for the Rockies moving forward after Story, who are some of the players that they could call upon to replace Story at shortstop?

Today, we’ll check out the top five candidates that should be at the top of the list to replace Story, if he is traded.

Brendan Rodgers

The Rockies former number one prospect is slated to be the team’s everyday second baseman in 2021 since Ryan McMahon is sliding over to third base (his natural position) to replace Nolan Arenado.

For Brendan Rodgers, though, shortstop is his best and natural position.

In the minor leagues, he played 240 games at shortstop and just 85 games at second base.

If Rodgers can stay healthy and prove that his bat belongs in the major leagues, then there will be no issue in moving him over to shortstop. However, Rodgers still needs to prove both things but, perhaps, by the time Story is traded or hits the free-agent market, he can prove both of those things and claim the shortstop position.

The Rockies have plenty of players that could replace Rodgers at second base including Bret Boswell, some other players that are coming up on our list, or (gasp!) a major league free agent signing. I know that it seems like a foreign concept to the Rockies front office and fans would be forgiven if they even forgot that they can happen. But it *could* happen, in theory.

Garrett Hampson

Garrett Hampson could be a guy that could replace Story at shortstop or Rodgers at second base as those are his two most natural positions with shortstop being his best and the one he is most experienced at.

He looks to have an edge on the starting center field job for the Rockies, though, as of now. If he were to become the everyday center fielder, the Rockies would replace him in center field with somebody that is more of a natural outfielder, like Sam Hilliard, Yonathan Daza, or even Jameson Hannah, who has been the flavor of the month in spring training for the Rockies thus far.

But, again, like Rodgers, Hampson has to prove that his bat can play at the major league level. No more sub-.250 batting averages or sub-.300 on-base percentages for Hampson. He must take a few steps up offensively to show that he can be a guy to replace Story as the everyday shortstop (or frankly, be the Rockies everyday center fielder).

Alan Trejo

Alan Trejo, the Rockies 16th round pick in 2017, has played well for the Rockies in spring training at shortstop (and some other infield positions). But he has never played a game at the Triple-A level, let alone at the MLB level.

In 2019 in Double-A Hartford, he only hit .243 with a .290 on-base percentage. So, he would need to play really well in Albuquerque at the start of the minor league season and, frankly, Rodgers and Hampson would have to fall flat or be injured to start the 2021 season.

In other words, Trejo is more of a dark-horse pick to replace Story but someone that still has a chance nonetheless.

Ryan Vilade

Ryan Vilade, the 22-year old graduate of Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma where former Rockies Matt Holliday and Brett Anderson graduated from, was the Rockies 2nd round pick in 2017.

He is in the Rockies spring training camp currently, like Trejo, so the Rockies do definitely want to see more of him. But he’s got a few things stacked up against him.

He has never played above Advanced-A ball.
Like Trejo, he didn’t play in a single game in 2020 due to the pandemic and the minor league season being canceled.
He has a few guys ahead of him on the depth chart.
The Rockies believe that they have so many shortstops that they have moved Vilade to the outfield.

Alan Trejo is a dark-horse but Vilade is even more of a dark-horse because of the position change.

Chris Owings

Another person that could be a replacement but shouldn’t be a replacement is Chris Owings. The Rockies should keep the veteran on the bench in a utility role but considering how much the Rockies love their veterans, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Owings become the everyday shortstop.

If Story is traded, they need to give the shortstop spot to someone that is young and possible part of the Rockies teams in years to come when they will likely make the playoffs next. Chris Owings does not fit either one of those and his bat is not anywhere close to being a replacement for Story.

Next. Trevor Story on his future, Nolan Arenado, and love of the game. dark

The Rockies will likely go with either Rodgers or Hampson if Story is traded this during the season unless they acquire a shortstop in a trade. But will any of them play well enough to pounce on the position if it becomes available? The Rockies hope that at least one of the above will do just that.

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