A Story-book season for this Texas native
My question was simple and direct: “Do you think Trevor Story is currently playing at an all-star level?”
It was as if Rockies manager Bud Black was waiting for the question.
“He’s playing great defense, the strikeouts are down and the average is starting to climb,” Black said. “I’ll tell you what, Trevor Story’s name is getting out there now, among baseball people. In the circles behind the (batting) cage and in conversations I have with other managers and coaches, he’s becoming a guy that other people are noticing. And it’s deserving.”
Story, 25, entered Friday night’s game against the Rangers leading the National League with 50 RBIs, was tied for fourth in the NL with 14 homers, and was fourth in total bases with 135. After a sub-par early season, he’s batting .388 (19-for-49) in June and his strikeouts are down.
The strong-armed, fleet-footed shortstop grew up about 15 minutes from Globe Life Park and was a star at nearby Irving High School. He returned home Friday to a hero’s welcome. Story was injured in 2016 when the Rockies last played here, so he had to watch from the dugout during that series.
Little wonder he was so excited about this weekend.
“This is special. I grew up watching the Rangers here,” he said. “This was my Yankee Stadium growing up.”
Story had about 200 friends and family in attendance on a hot-and-steamy Friday night. He was even the subject of a cover story in The Dallas Morning News. Story went so far as to say he was even looking forward to playing in the infamous Texas heat.
“I am, honestly,” Story told a media throng in the Rockies’ dugout before Friday night’s game. “I haven’t been in Texas in the summer for the past seven years. And once you don’t have it, you miss it, a little bit. I grew up playing in it. But after the two day games (on Saturday and Sunday), I’ll be (done) with it.”
I’ve been saying on Twitter for weeks that Story is worthy of all-star consideration. I realize, however, that he’s a long shot to make the Midsummer Classic. In the latest update of fan vot-
ing, he was a distant fifth.
Here’s the rundown: 1. Brandon Crawford, Giants (466,021); 2. Dansby Swanson, Braves (225,182); 3. Addison Russell, Cubs (210,764); 4. Trea Turner, Nationals (158,252); 5. Story (143,603).
Yet if Story continues playing at a high level, he just might force the issue and find himself in Washington D.C. on July 17. The players might vote him in, or Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (who’ll manage the National League team) could give him a nod.
Story’s wanted to be a majorleague ballplayer for “as long as I can remember.” Adding that if he had not made it, he wanted to be a firefighter like his father, Kenny, who recently retired after 37 years with the Irving Fire Department.
Story has more than just “made it.” He’s on the verge of stardom, and not just in Colorado or Texas.
Estevez update. Righthanded reliever Carlos Estevez, who could help prop up the Rockies’ rickety bullpen, threw his fourth bullpen session Friday as he works his way back from an elbow injury.
“I’m doing very well, making a lot of progress,” he said.
There is no timetable for Estevez’s return, let alone a rehab assignment, but when he does return, Black is confident Estevez can help.
“He’s really gaining momentum,” Black said. “He could be a viable option for sure. We all saw what he did last year. The last couple of months, I thought he threw the ball very well.”
After his recall from TripleA on Sept. 1, Estevez held opponents scoreless in 11 of his 14 outings, posting a 3.86 ERA.