Colorado Rockies All-Decade Team
The last decade has been full of ups and downs for the Colorado Rockies. They finished dead last in the National League West multiple times, and in one year they were one game away from winning the division. They lost 90 games or more three times but also won 91 games in 2018. The Rockies have always been an interesting team, and picking the All-Decade team was super interesting. Here is the All-Decade Team for the Colorado Rockies
The All-Decade roster was created by taking the best individual seasons at each position to fill out a 25-man roster. Each player will be represented by their best season and cannot be used more than once. Here are the best Rockies seasons of the 2010s.
Starting Pitcher(s) – Kyle Freeland (2018)
The local kid from Thomas Jefferson H.S. in Denver had a very good 2018 campaign. Kyle Freeland finished the season with a 17-7 record, 2.85 ERA, and 173 strikeouts in over 200 innings pitched. He finished fourth in the NL Cy Young award vote and won his start in the Wild Card game over the Chicago Cubs to send the team to the NL Divisional Series.
Relief Pitcher(s) – Wade Davis (2018)
The Rockies signed free-agent closer Wade Davis to a four-year contract in December of 2017, and the deal paid off immediately. Wade led the league the next year in saves, 43, and in games finished, 63. The 43 saves set the Colorado Rockies single-season record. He also had a 1.056 WHIP in 2018, the third-lowest in his career.
Catcher – Wilin Rosario (2013)
Wilin Rosario‘s second full season in Denver was successful. He hit .292 with an OBP of .315. He had an OPS of 801. Defensively, Rosario only allowed nine passed balls all season. He would only last one more year in Colorado, but his short stint was worthy of earning a spot on the team.
First base – Todd Helton (2011)
Todd Helton is a staple in Colorado Rockies history. The first baseman holds over 20 Rockies career batting stats, and could not be left off an All-Decade team in which he played. In 2011, Helton hit .302 with an OPS of .850 in 124 games. His number 17 is the only number retired by the Colorado Rockies (42 was retired by MLB in 1997).
Second base – DJ LeMahieu (2016)
The 2016 NL Batting Title and Silver Slugger award winner was DJ LeMahieu. He led the league with a .346 batting average. He slugged .495 and had an OPS of .911. LeMahieu also had a fielding percentage of .991 that season, making only six errors in 146 games. Now with the New York Yankees, LeMahieu has shown that hitting is not just a Coors Field “thing” for him, and his defensive can play anywhere.
Third base – Nolan Arenado (2016)
Nolan Arenado has become the gold standard at third base, literally. The perennial All-Star won his fourth straight Gold Glove Award (now at seven in a row, with two platinum awards), and was the Silver Slugger in 2016. Arenado led the league in games, HR, RBI, and total bases that year as well. He signed a large contract this past offseason and will be the face of the Colorado Rockies for several years to come.
Shortstop – Trevor Story (2019)
Trevor Story has been a beast since he showed up in the Rockies lineup. The man to replace Troy Tulowitzki has been more than a capable replacement. This past season, Story hit .295 with 35 homers, 85 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. A good mix of defensive, power, and speed gives Trevor Story the nod over his predecessor.
Leftfield – Carlos Gonzalez (2010)
The man known as Cargo, was acquired by the Colorado Rockies in a trade with the Oakland Athletics back in 2008. In 2010, Carlos Gonzalez led the NL in hits (197), batting average (.336), and total bases (351). He also won the Gold Glove in 2010 to go with his offensive prowess. The left-handed Venezuelan is a favorite of every Rockies fan.
Centerfield – Charlie Blackmon (2017)
Sticking with nicknames, Chuck Nazty and his beard have been patrolling the spacious outfield of Coors Field since 2011, but 2017 has been his best season so far. In that year, Charlie Blackmon led the NL in six batting categories including batting average, hits, runs, and total bases. The beloved lead-off hitter can be heard serenaded by the fans during his walk-up song, Your Love by The Outfield.
Rightfield – Michael Cuddyer (2013)
The fourth Rockies player to win a batting title takes the right field position. Michael Cuddyer won the award in 2013 after batting .331. He hit 20 HR and had 31 doubles that year. The free-agent from Minnesota was a versatile player for the team that brought a veteran presence to the clubhouse. In a crowded outfield, Cuddyer is worthy of a starting spot.
Lineup
- CF – Charlie Blackmon (2017)
- LF – Michael Cuddyer (2013)
- 2B – D.J. LeMahieu (2016)
- 3B – Nolan Arenado (2015)
- 1B – Todd Helton (2011)
- SS – Trevor Story (2019)
- RF – Carlos Gonzalez (2010)
- C – Wilin Rosario (2012)
- SP – Kyle Freeland (2018)
Bench
- Dexter Fowler (2012)
- Troy Tulowitski (2011)
- Matt Holliday (2018)
- Tony Wolters (2019)
- Corey Dickerson (2014)
- Seth Smith (2011)
Rotation
- Kyle Freeland (2018)
- Ubaldo Jimenez (2010)
- German Marquez (2018)
- Jorge De La Rosa (2013)
- Jhoulys Chacin (2013)
Bullpen
- Wade Davis (2018)
- Chris Rusin (2017)
- Scott Oberg (2019)
- Adam Ottavino (2018)
- Rafael Betancourt (2012)
- Greg Holland (2017)
Outlook
The Colorado Rockies are still a younger franchise, established in 1993, but the team has shown flashes of brilliance including a trip to the World Series in 2007. The team made the playoffs twice in the past three years and will look to make it back in 2020. The Los Angeles Dodgers are still the top of the class in the National League West, but the boys from 20th and Blake will continue to grow the legacy of the Colorado Rockies in the next 10 years.
