The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado just keeps winning.
Arenado, a four-time all-star with Colorado, won his sixth consecutive National League Gold Glove and his fourth Silver Slugger award this past week. Arenado’s performance at the hot corner and at the plate might remind fans of Philadelphia Phillies great Mike Schmidt, just pencil him during award season.
Arenado’s accomplishments the past week (Gold Glove, Silver Slugger) got me thinking: Will he be the greatest Rockies player of all time? My vote is yes… and twice on Sunday.
When you break it down there are really only three players who are on this short list… no, Yohan Flande is not on this list of greats. You have to have Larry Walker getting some consideration as he was a five-tool player who spent 10 seasons wearing the purple pinstripes.
Walker had some stellar years in Colorado and won the National League MVP in 1997. He finished his career with seven Gold Gloves, five earned with Colorado. He also had three Silver Slugger awards, two while playing in LoDo. Walker’s downside was that he was injured too often. Great player, just not the best in franchise history.
Most fans will say Todd Helton is the greatest to play here in Denver. During his 17-year career, all with the Rockies, Helton won three gold gloves, four silver sluggers and had six seasons of 30 or more homers and five season of 100+ RBIs. I will give it to the Todd Father, he had an amazing career and should get consideration for the Hall of Fame. But he will come up short on the list of greatest Rockies player.
Arenado, entering his prime at 27 years old, has put up MVP-type numbers during his young six-year career all while playing Gold Glove defense. Here’s a breakdown of Arenado’s numbers the past four seasons.
- 2015: 42 home runs, 130 RBIs, .287 average, 157 games played
- 2016: 41 home runs, 133 RBIs, .294 average, 160 games played
- 2017: 37 home runs, 130 RBIs, .309 average, 159 games played
- 2018: 38 home runs, 110 RBIs, .297 average, 156 games played
If Arenado finishes his career in Colorado, he will be wearing purple pinstripes into Cooperstown and will be considered the greatest Rockies player of all time.
— Jeff Bailey, The Denver Post
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Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.
