Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton signed with the San Diego Padres?

Todd Helton is one of the most-revered Colorado Rockies players ever. He spent part of 17 seasons in the major leagues with the Rockies and another two in the minor leagues.

Since he spent his entire career with the Rockies, he leads in nearly every offensive category in franchise history including games played (by exactly 1,000 games over Carlos Gonzalez), at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, and walks. He is in the top 10 in average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage (minimum 900 ABs as a Rockie).

But that all might not have happened if not for one move by Todd Helton. A move that Helton later said he didn’t regret but it was a very difficult decision to make.

Before the Colorado Rockies drafted Todd Helton in 1995, the San Diego Padres drafted him in 1992.

It’s something that falls through the cracks of history but it’s true: Todd Helton could have been a member of the San Diego Padres.

You may be thinking “oh, he didn’t sign with the Padres because they drafted him really low in the draft.” If you thought that, you’d be wrong.

The Padres drafted him in the 2nd round (55th overall pick) by the Padres. It was also the Padres first pick of the draft because they lost their first-round pick because they signed free-agent infielder Kurt Stillwell. Their draft pick went to the Kansas City Royals, who drafted right-handed pitcher Jim Pittsley (who spent parts of four seasons in the majors).

Some of the draft picks behind Helton were future Colorado Rockie Jason Giambi (drafted three picks behind Helton by Oakland), three-time All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro, current Brewers manager  Craig Counsell (drafted by the Rockies in the 11th round), and two-time All-Star Darin Erstad (didn’t sign).

What might have happened if Helton signed with the Padres?

Since he was drafted by the Padres right out of high school, he almost definitely would have spent more time in the minor leagues than he did with the Rockies. The Rockies drafted him in 1995 and by August of 1997, he was in the major leagues.

By 1998, the Rockies gave Helton the reigns to be the full-time first baseman as he played in 152 games. The Rockies let Andres Galarraga walk in free agency after he hit 41 homers, 140 RBI, and hit .318/.389/.585. He also came in 7th in NL MVP voting.

Helton did play some left and right field for the Rockies in 1997 but they had a great outfield of Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, and Larry Walker, who won the NL MVP Award in 1997. So, entering 1998, for Helton to get playing time, it was clear that he would have to play first base.

For the Padres, that likely would not have been a foregone conclusion. The Padres everyday first baseman at the time was Wally Joyner, a left-handed hitter who had been in the majors since 1986.

His best two seasons were his first two seasons as he was an All-Star in his rookie season, ranked 8th in MVP voting, and came in 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting to Jose Canseco (who oddly enough, ranked 20th in AL MVP voting). In 1987, Joyner came in 13th in AL MVP voting but he never was an All-Star or ranked in MVP voting again.

That doesn’t mean that Joyner would have been dethroned at first base.

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Todd Helton’s path could have gone a few ways but the Rockies path would have been very murky.

So for the 1998 season, Helton would have either been in the minors or replaced Vaughn in left field and, perhaps, replaced Joyner after the 1998 season or after the 1999 season (which is when the Padres traded him to Atlanta).

Helton likely would have replaced Tony Gwynn as the Padres franchise guy and, like he had to deal with as a Rockie in the early 2000s, deal with some very lean years. However, the Padres went 87-75  (3rd place in the NL West) in 2004, which was their first season at Petco Park. If Helton would have had the numbers he did with the Rockies in 2004, the Padres may have been able to win six more games and win the division.

The Padres did win the NL West in 2005 and 2006 as well. But just think if the Padres had him in 2007. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was, arguably, the best offensive player for then-rookie Padres manager Bud Black but if Helton isn’t on the Rockies, there is no Rocktober because there wouldn’t have been Game 163.

The Colorado Rockies franchise history could look a lot different if Helton decided to sign with the Padres and spurn the University of Tennessee.

Who knows? If he signed with the Padres, they may have decided to make him a pitcher (as he was a two-way player in college). But if he didn’t spurn the Padres offer, we most definitely would not be talking about Todd Helton as a potential Hall of Famer in a Rockies uniform.