Colorado Rockies: A franchise legend joins the front office

The Colorado Rockies announced on Saturday that a franchise legend has rejoined the team. Todd Helton has rejoined the Rockies as an assistant to GM Bill Schmidt. The move comes after Helton was a guest coach during Spring Training.

Colorado Rockies legend Todd Helton is rejoining the team’s front office

Colorado Rockies legend Todd Helton is rejoining the front office. Before Saturday’s game with the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Bud Black was asked about Helton’s return to the organization and how it was working with Helton in spring training.

“I think it’s awesome,” Black said. “I’m glad Todd is jumping back in (to the game). He was great in  Spring Training … I think he’s in a good place to get back involved and help. I know he spent most of (his) time (with) the minor league players, which is something that I think (GM Bill Schmidt) wanted him to do.”

In particular, Helton worked with Michael Toglia, who is with Double-A Hartford. Toglia is the Rockies #8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Like Helton, he is left-handed but he is a switch-hitter, whereas Helton was just a left-handed hitter.

Toglia’s best asset is his defense (which is graded at a 65 ranking on a 20-80 scouting scale). He has been trying to work on his contact hitting (45 on that scale). In 2021, Toglia hit .228 in 115 games between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford.

As for Helton, he was drafted by the Rockies back in 1995. He made the majors in 1997 and played with the team all the way until his retirement after the 2013 season.

The future Baseball Hall of Famer leads the Rockies in these offensive categories:

• WAR (61.8)
• Games (2247)
• At-Bats (7962)
• Plate Appearances (9453)
• Runs (1401)
• Hits (2519)
• Total Bases (4292)
• Doubles (592)
• Home Runs (369)
• RBI (1406)
• Walks (1335)
• Singles (1521)
• Extra Base Hits (998)

Prior to adding Helton to the front office, the Rockies also hired his former manager, Clint Hurdle, to be a special assistant to Schmidt this past offseason.