Per the norm, Colorado baseball fans have been witness to handful of great individual performances in the first two months of the season. Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado top that list. Unfortunately, those individual performances haven’t led to much team success on the field.
The Colorado Rockies sit at 24-28, not good. They’re in last place in the NL West, not good. Overall, the Rockies 2015 campaign has so far been not good. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t players at 20th and Blake deserving of an All-Star bid (in fact there are five), because the All-Star game isn’t about a team’s win-loss record. It’s about rewarding great individual performances.
When it comes to talent, the Rockies are loaded; no one can question that. Their everyday lineup, when healthy, may be one of the best in Major League Baseball. That should be recognized as such when the NL and AL take the field in Cincinnati to decide home field advantage for the World Series.
Here are five Rockies that deserve to represent the NL in the All-Star game on July 14.
Name recognition
Troy Tulowitzki – Tulo is going to make it because he’s Tulo, despite the slow start. But don’t let the slow start fool you. He is still one of the best players in the game. The Rockies trudged their way through May – and Tulo’s numbers reflect that – but don’t forget about his hot April. No. 2 has started to find his groove. The Rockies have won 9 of their last 12 and Tulo is a major reason why. His average is slowly starting to normalize and his defensive presence is immeasurable. Tulowitzki should be the starting shortstop for the NL.
Shoo-ins
Nolan Arenado – The Rockies star third basemen has been an absolute highlight reel this season defensively. His play at the hot corner alone has been enough to garner an All-Star bid, but Arenado isn’t a one trick pony. Through 50 games Arenado is tied for fourth in the NL with 39 RBIs, leads the Rockies in home runs with 13 and is hitting .285. His All-Star appearance this year will be his first but it won’t be his last.
DJ LeMahieu – It finally looks like Colorado has found their long-term answer at second base. Surprisingly, LeMahieu has been the Rockies most consistent hitter. With an average sitting at .339, LeMahieu gives Walt Weiss another weapon in the lineup. LeMahieu’s breakout season is looking more like the rule rather than the exception; he’s becoming one of the best second basemen in the NL and deserves a seat amongst the best in the game.
Guy no one is talking about
John Axford – Since taking over the closer’s role, Axford has been lights out. He has converted all 10 of his save opportunities and posted a 0.56 ERA. If Axford hadn’t missed the beginning of the season caring for his son, he’d easily be near the top of the league in saves. As it stands now he sits in the top 20 in saves despite missing almost the entire month of May. The only thing more impressive than Axford’s pitching is his son’s recovery from a rattlesnake bite.
Small sample size guy
Chad Bettis aka The Baby Bus – Bettis was nothing short of amazing in his last three starts. Ok, amazing might be a strong word, but it’s been a long time since baseball fans in Colorado have seen a starting pitcher dominate like Bettis has of late. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Phillies on May 29 and pitched eight great innings against the Giants on May 24. Last night he went six innings against the Dodgers, giving up only two runs. With only five starts under his belt, Bettis doesn’t have the sample size to justify his inclusion in the All-Star game but he’d make a great addition to the NL bullpen.
Glance at their record and it’s easy to overlook the Rockies. They’ve been downright bad this year and players are normally rewarded with All-Star selections based on leading their team to wins, which is understandable. That said, the 30,000 fans turning out at Coors Field each game have been treated to some wonderful individual performances throughout the season. Those individual performances deserve All-Star nods.
20th and Blake houses a team loaded with talent; when the NL takes the field in Cincinnati the roster should reflect that.