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

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.