Renck vs. Keeler: Who is Rockies’ All-Star? Or more aptly, their Falling Star?

Renck: The Rockies Twitter account has a sense of humor. So when the admin asked fans to vote Colorado players into the All-Star Game last week, it was unintentionally on brand. Strapped with a 12-53 record, the Rockies are historically horrible, tying the 1932 Boston Red Sox for the worst start ever. Stare into this abyss at your own risk. But Sean, as we examine the wreckage, it raises two questions: Do the Rockies have an All-Star, and who has been their most disappointing Falling Star?

Keeler: On 20th & Bleak, we laugh to keep from crying. Staring at the Rockies for too long is like staring into the sun — brother, it burns. The Local 9 has two All-Stars, although only one will actually make the team. Love ya, Jake Bird, but the nod goes to catcher Hunter Goodman, who as of Monday morning topped all National League backstops in hits, home runs, RBIs and … (checks notes) errors. The 25-year-old Memphis Masher is the rarest of breeds in LoDo these days: A Rockies player you’d happily pay to watch.

Renck: Goodman has been the Rockies’ best player. Drew Goodman might be their most valuable, having to broadcast every game. Settling in as the everyday catcher, Goodman leads the Rockies in home runs (10) and RBIs (37). He has thumped right-handed pitching (19 extra-base hits) and earned his stats the hard way with eight of his dingers coming on the road. Jordan Beck is the only other player in the conversation, and he was already sent to Triple-A once this season. The reason Goodman really isn’t an All-Star? He is not a good defender, his erratic throwing has led to six errors. As for disappointments, how much time do you have?

Keeler: Not enough for this dumpster fire. On a team of Falling Stars, the real challenge is settling on just one. The Rockies’ “plan” was to build a lineup, a foundation, around Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop and Brenton Doyle in center field. Two problems arose, though: Tovar’s body is breaking down, and Doyle’s bat is made of Swiss cheese. Doyle’s easily the most disappointing regular. He’s what I like to call a Bill Schmidt Special: A player with three really strong tools (fielding, arm strength, speed) that are perfect for Coors Field, combined with two that are so terrible (hitting for average, hitting for power) that they absolutely bury the upside. All that good, young pitching from Rocktober 2018 is no longer young and no longer good.

Renck: Kris Bryant has been first-team Falling Star since the moment he signed. But everyone with eyes knew he was done. Doyle was supposed to be good. He has been a mess offensively, dropped from leadoff to fifth in the order. He is hitting .159 over the last month with five extra-base hits. Not even his Gold Glove defense has prevented him from posting a minus-1.0 WAR. First baseman Michael Toglia was mercifully demoted to the minors after leading the league in strikeouts, but there were suspicions about his 2024 breakout season. And Adael Amador is back with the Isotopes after posting a .146 average in 89 at-bats. His age (22) is used as an excuse. But in multiple stints with the Rockies, his lack of power makes him look a lot closer to a utility player than an everyday starter.

Keeler: With Amador, at least we’ll always have that flying glove moment against the Yankees. Me? I’m still waiting for that air-tight defense Schmidt and Dick Monfort promised. According to Statcast, the Rox’s infield ranked 19th out of 30 clubs in Outs Above Average and 19th in runs prevented. Per the Fielding Bible, Colorado’s team defense was 27th in runs saved (-30). If you build it, they will numb.