3 of the biggest one-hit wonders in Rockies franchise history

The Rockies, even being a newer franchise, have had a number of players that have gone on to have storied careers. They have had a number of great shortstops like Troy Tulowitzki, Trevor Story, and even flashing it back to Neifi Perez and Walt Weiss. They have had some of the best bats ever, that now sit enshrined in Cooperstown in Todd Helton and Larry Walker. They have had some of the most consistent players that have proven it over many years.

Today we are going to look at some of the best seasons in the Rockies franchise history, but with a twist. When you think of the best single seasons you think about Larry Walker's 1997 MVP season, or Todd Helton getting robbed of an MVP award in his 2000 season.

I said there is a twist, and that is the fact that we are going to look at the best one-hit wonders in Rockies franchise history. The run of "Linsanity", Brady Anderson's crazy 1996 season, or Mark Firdrych's debut season; these are all one-hit wonders that made their name in one season before drifting off into irrelevance again. Today we are going to look at four of the biggest one-hit wonders in the Rockies franchise history.

We were teased with what the talented David Dahl could be in 2019

David Dahl might be perhaps the highest touted Rockies prospect ever. He possessed legit five-tool potential at a premium position, especially in Colorado, Dahle had some really good seasons throughout the minor leagues, regularly hitt over .300 and proving legit 20-30 home run power with the ability to steal bases at a regular clip.

He debuted in 2016 and hit .315 in just 63 games, showing what many fans hoped would become an elite centerfielder. He didn't appear in a major league baseball game again until 2018, playing just 38 games in the minor leagues in 2017 and 2018 due to injuries. His 2019 season is when he really broke out, becoming an All-Star while slashing .302/.353/.524 with 15 home runs in 100 games before a pretty gruesome injury ended his season in August. After that breakout year, Dahl, still dealing with injuries, also had to deal with the COVID year, where he only received 99 plate appearances. Over the next three years, he would only receive 229 major league plate appearances.

Dahl is still in the league, just signing with the Phillies, and we all hope that he can capture just a little bit of that 2019 season. Many fans were in awe of what Dahl could become. Dahl had as much talent as any Rockies player, and it is unfortunate that injuries deprived him and fans of a spectacular career.

Preston Wilson showed 5 tool potential in 2003, but could never replicate the same level of success

Preston Wilson came with a lot of pedigree, being the ninth overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft. He was also ranked in the top 100 prospects for four consecutive years. He had a few decent years with the Marlins and Rockies fans had to be excited getting, at that time, a 28 year old outfielder, that had posted a 30-30 year along with back to back 20-20 seasons. 

He rewarded the Rockies immediately slashing .282/.343/537 with 36 home runs and a league leading 141 RBI’s. He was an All-Star for the first time and even received MVP votes. Wilson had just put together one of the best seasons by a center fielder and looked to be a fixture in the middle of the Rockies lineup for a long time, taking advantage of that thin Colorado air.

Unfortunately for the Rockies and Wilson, he played just 58 games in 2004, dealing with some injuries. In his contract year it was more of the same for Wilson who wasn’t replicating the 2003 season success. He was sent to the Nationals to finish out the season. He would spend the next season with two teams, significantly regressing, slashing just .263/.307/.423 with just 17 home runs. In 2007, he played in just 25 games, only hitting one home run and would never make a major league appearance again. Wilson had a quick fall from grace but at his peak he was extremely good and had one of the best seasons (even if it was just one) in Rockies history.