Purple Row Rockies Madness: No. 2 Troy Tulowitzki vs. No. 3 Nolan Arenado

Due to the cancellation of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, Purple Row is hosting our own Rockies Madness Tournament this year. We selected the 36 best players in Rockies history to determine the best player in franchise history. We sorted them into four regions to force the most interesting matchups: Infielders, Outfielders, Mile High (for relievers and starting pitchers who began their career before the humidor), and Humidor (for starters who began their career after the humidor). All stats are from Baseball Reference.

Today is the Sweet 16 matchup in the Infield Region: No. 2 Troy Tulowitzki vs. No. 3 Nolan Arenado.

Troy Tulowitzki, Shortstop

2006-2015

Awards

• 5x All-Star (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015)
• 2x Gold Glove (2010, 2011)
• 2x Silver Slugger (2010, 2011)
• 3x Top 10 MVP (2009-5th, 2010-5th, 2011-8th)
• 2nd place Rookie of the Year (2007)

Notes

• Because of injuries, Tulowitzki only played three 140-game seasons.
• The now-retired shortstop has a complicated relationship with former teammate Ubaldo Jiménez.
• He’s a long-time fan of Derek Jeter (hence his decision to wear #2).
• Tulowitzki is currently an assistant coach for the University of Texas Longhorns, who would have met former-Rockie-turned-Oklahoma-State-Cowboy assistant coach Matt Holliday in Big XII play were the 2020 season not canceled.

Nolan Arenado, Third Baseman

2013-present

Awards

• 5x All-Star (2015-2019)
• 7x Gold Glove (2013-2019)
• 3x Platinum Glove (2017-2019)
• 3x Wilson Defensive Player of the Year (2015-2017)
• 4x Silver Slugger (2015-2018)
• 5x Top 10 MVP (2015-8th, 2016-5th, 2017-4th, 2018-3rd, 2019-6th)

Notes

• Arenado’s seven Gold Gloves are the most in franchise history. (Larry Walker has five.)
• Tulowitzki was one of Arenado’s mentors.
• Arenado Family Wiffle Ball games are legendary.
• In February 2020, Nolan Arenado Drive in Lake Forest, California, was named in his honor.
• He is a better third baseman than Anthony Rendon or Matt Chapman, his former high school teammate.