Not every shortstop prospect has coaches and scouts reaching for the names Ripken, Jeter, and Rodríguez for player comparisons, but Troy Tulowitzki did. Not everyone has the opportunity to play shortstop in the World Series during their first full season, but Tulowitzki did. Most do not receive Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player votes during their first full season, but yet again, Tulowitzki did.
The five-time All-Star, who accumulated two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers across 13 years of Major League action, was a top-ten slugger and the second-best defensive shortstop in all of baseball for the majority of this time. Among hitters with at least 2,500 plate appearances from 2009 to 2014, Tulowitzki ranked 3rd in wOBA (.401), 2nd in slugging (.553, above the likes of Albert Pujols, Giancarlo Stanton, David Ortiz, and others), 7th in batting average (.309), and for those saying he was a product of Coors Field, he ranked 10th in wRC+ (139), which is adjusted for ballpark factor. On defense, only Andrelton Simmons had more DRS among shortstops.
It was all there for Tulowitzki’s taking, but similar to the sentiment from our last Hall of Fame candidate highlighted (Dustin Pedroia) he just could not escape an unfortunate barrage of injuries. Over his last eight seasons, Tulo averaged only 90 games per season, with the high being 131 in 2016.
Rockies legends, Carlos González and Troy Tulowitzki, are on the @baseballhall Ballot for the first time! pic.twitter.com/O6HVxT1UNv
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) November 18, 2024
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Tulowitzki’s High Highs Give Him Chance at Hall of Fame
Tulo Before the Bigs
Troy Tulowitzki was on the fast track to be a big leaguer from the time he was playing shortstop for the Long Beach State Dirtbags. Baseball America rated him as having the top arm and best defense among shortstops in his conference. This would prove to be conservative, as he demonstrated his true talent as the shortstop for the gold-medal-winning United States collegiate national team.
Tulowitzki was drafted seventh overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 2005 MLB Draft, signing for a $2.3 million bonus. He debuted with the Modesto Nuts (Class A-Advanced) in 2005, hitting .266 in 22 games. The following year, he played for the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A) and posted a .291 average with 13 home runs and 61 RBI. His performance earned him a spot in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game, despite a mid-season knee injury.
Tulo’s Impressive Start
The Rockies called Tulowitzki up to the majors on August 30, 2006. He struggled initially but collected his first MLB hit the following day and his first home run on September 4. He finished his 2006 stint with a .240 average, one home run, and six RBI in 25 games. In 2007, he beat Clint Barmes for the starting shortstop role and made history on April 29 by turning the 13th unassisted triple play in MLB history. His rookie campaign was exceptional, leading all MLB shortstops in multiple defensive categories, including fielding percentage (.987) and assists (561). He set an MLB rookie shortstop record for RBI (99) and home runs (24), but narrowly lost National League Rookie of the Year to Ryan Braun.
Tulowitzki’s fielding prowess earned him a Fielding Bible Award in 2007, and he helped the Rockies reach their first-ever World Series, though they were swept by the Boston Red Sox. In 2008, he signed a six-year, $31 million extension with Colorado but was plagued by injuries, including a quadriceps tear and a cut hand. He returned mid-season and ended the year with a .263 average, eight home runs, and 46 RBI.
Entering His Prime
In 2009, Tulowitzki hit for the cycle on August 10 and recorded a career-high seven RBI in that game. He finished the season with 32 home runs, leading all MLB shortstops, and placed fifth in NL MVP voting. His 2010 season saw him fracture his wrist, but he returned to hit 15 home runs in September alone, tying a record held by Babe Ruth. He earned his first Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards, with a .315 batting average and 95 RBI for the season.
In November 2010, Tulowitzki signed a six-year, $120 million extension with the Rockies. He was an All-Star and the starting NL shortstop in 2011, winning his second straight Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. After an injury-riddled 2012 campaign, he rebounded in 2013 to hit .312 with 25 home runs. In 2014, he was an MVP front-runner until a hip injury ended his season early. Despite limited play, he hit .340 with 21 home runs in 91 games.
The Beginning of the End
The Rockies traded Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015. He debuted on July 29, collecting three hits, including a home run. Tulowitzki’s arrival helped the Blue Jays claim the AL East title. He played in the ALDS and ALCS, with a notable three-run homer against Kansas City, though the Blue Jays fell short of the World Series.
Tulowitzki’s production declined in 2016, batting .254 with 24 home runs. Injuries plagued his 2017 and 2018 seasons, with ankle issues sidelining him for the entire 2018 season. The Blue Jays released him in December 2018, owing him $38 million.
In January 2019, Tulowitzki signed with the New York Yankees. He hit a home run in his first game but played only five games before a calf injury put him on the injured list. On July 25, 2019, he announced his retirement from baseball.
Career Year Breakdown
It was slightly difficult to select Tulo’s career year, as he had multiple shortened seasons that reflect his best offensive performances (e.g., Tulo posted a 1.035 OPS across 375 PA in 2014), but the year that stands out among the rest is his fully-healthy 2009 campaign.
This season saw Tulo play in 151 games, his career-high. His stats across MLB during 2009 are as follows:
MVP Voting: 5th
WAR (5.3): 18th
wRC+ (132): 29th
Now this season was not exactly world-beating, but Tulowitzki showcased his ability to impact games on both sides of the baseball. Notable differences during 2009 include:
- Swing%: His overall swing percentage (45.1%) is higher compared to other seasons, indicating a more aggressive approach at the plate.
- O-Swing%: He chased pitches outside the zone at a higher rate (25.5%) than in most other seasons, showing he expanded his strike zone more often.
- Contact%: His overall contact percentage (77.3%) was notably better, reflecting more success at putting the ball in play.
- Zone%: Pitchers challenged him more, and Tulo took advantage with 49.8% of pitches in the strike zone being the highest of his career.
In summary, a combination of a more aggressive approach and consistent contact led to Tulo’s career year.
Tulowitzki’s Hall of Fame Case
Across 13 seasons, Tulowitzki played 1,291 games, hitting .290 with 225 home runs, 780 RBI, and a .985 fielding percentage. His defensive skills continued through the postseason, as he maintained a perfect fielding percentage in 35 postseason games. In Rockies history, Tulo is in the top 10 in batting average, doubles, home runs, RBI, OPS, and ironically, games played.
It’s always interesting to see how milestone numbers and longevity affect a player’s Hall of Fame case. For example, take a look at Lou Brock. The St. Louis Cardinals’ Hall of Fame left fielder was voted in on 79.7% of ballots. He cleared 3,000 hits in over 10,000 at-bats, and accumulated 45.3 WAR in 19 years. Meanwhile, Tulo, who compiled 44.5 WAR (T-278th all-time) in 13 injury-stricken years, will be lucky to see more than three ballots.
Tulowitzki is only given a 46/100 by Baseball Reference’s Hall of Fame monitor, making it seem pretty clear that he will fall short of the Hall, but the sentiment across the baseball world is that with better health, there would have been a much, much more serious case for Tulowitzki.
Photo Credit: © Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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