PHOENIX — You already know the basics.
As a Rockies rookie in 2016, shortstop Trevor Story became the only player in big-league history to hit six home runs in his team’s first four games.
He’s a two-time all-star and was a Silver Slugger winner in 2018 and ’19. In 2018, he became the first shortstop to hit at least 30 home runs and 40 doubles and steal 25 stolen bases in a season.
Friday night, in the Rockies’ wild, 9-7 win over the Diamondbacks, Story stole his 20th base of the season and the 100th of his career, becoming the seventh player to hit 150 home runs and steal 100 bases over his first six seasons. The others in the club: Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds, Darryl Strawberry, Andruw Jones, Ryan Braun and Mike Trout.
You also know that Story, who turns 29 next month, will soon become a free agent and Sunday’s game at Chase Field will almost certainly be his last as a member of the Rockies.
You also know that he’s well-liked and respected by his teammates. But you might not know just how much his teammates like and respect him.
“Trevor is a pro’s pro,” third baseman Ryan McMahon said. “He shows up every day and handles all of his work throughout the day in the most professional way. He’s been awesome to play with and he’s helped a lot of us get better. He’s my favorite teammate, to date, that I’ve played with.”
Nolan Arenado, who now has what Story wants — he’s playing for a Cardinals team headed to the playoffs for the third straight year — considers Story one of his best friends and cherishes their time together.
“Trevor is one of my favorite teammates of all time,” Arenado said. “The care, the work ethic, the intensity — he was somebody I fed off of. He showed up every day, same guy, ready to work.
“The shortstop is the captain of the infield and he controlled the infield so well.”
Arenado is happy in St. Louis, but he still misses his partner on the left side of the infield.
“I always knew when I showed up at spring training that Story would show up at the same time as me,” Arenado continued. “That was just the best feeling.”
And right fielder Charlie Blackmon, who at 35 is Colorado’s oldest position player, marvels at the teammate Story has been for the past six seasons.
“Along with his steady production, Trevor has become a rock in the clubhouse,” Blackmon said. “He’s helped everyone around him. I’ve enjoyed watching him work and continue to make adjustments. It’s good for our young players to see. And reminds the older guys that there is no substitute for hard work and preparation.”
The coming free-agent market features an extraordinary class of shortstops, led by the Astros’ Carlos Correa, who’s just 27 and is considered the best of the bunch. The Mets’ Javier Báez, the Dodgers’ Corey Seager, the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien and Story also will be competing for big-money contracts.
Front-office types will comb through every statistic and hours of videos. When it comes to Story, the media will write about his relatively tame 105 OPS+ this season and his Coors Field-vs.-road splits. And yes, there are questions about Story’s inconsistent throws from short to first base. But I’m told by those who know that his arm is 100% healthy.
I don’t know where Story will end up, though I’d make the Rangers and Yankees the early front-runners. But I do predict this: there are a lot more all-star seasons to come.
And I’m certain of this: Story is the kind of player you want in your clubhouse. His teammates told me so.
Saunders: Trevor Story, soon to be a free agent, is the ultimate teammate - The Denver Post
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