Rockies Talk: Carlos Gonzalez, The Next Big Thing?

The trade before the 2009 season had Rockies fans in disbelief, Matt Holiday was traded away from Colorado and ended up in Oakland. The superstar that led helped lead the way to the Rockies first playoff appearance in 12 years, and the clubs 1st World Series appearance in franchise history was gone. In return, Huston Street, and some guy named Carlos Gonzalez.

Huston Street had people a bit excited, as he had pretty good success in Oakland. With the Rockies instability in the closer's role, it seemed like a good pick up. But who was this Gonzalez guy? Not many people had heard of him, as he came over from Oakland, after playing about half a season there. Fans were concerned that the Rockies got the shaft in trading Holiday simply because they couldn't afford him anymore.

Turns out that wasn't the case at all. Although Cargo, a name appointed by longtime Rockies Broadcaster Drew Goodman, started the season slow in Colorado, he suddenly began producing, proving himself as a nice combination of power and speed atop the lineup.

Gonzalez really caught fire in the heart of the Rockies NL West title race, trying to catch the streaky Dodgers, and trying to hold off the hot S.F. Giants. Cargo finished his Rockies debut season playing in 89 games, had a .284 avg, 79 hits, 13 home runs, 29 RBI's and 16 stolen bases.

This wasn't even the most impressive part of Cargo's season. In the NLDS against the former World Series champs the Philadelphia Phillies, Carlos tied a Rockies post season record. Joining Dante Bichette as the only players in franchise history to get 10 hits in a series. Oh, by the way, Gonzalez also posted a .588 batting average with 1 home run and 5 runs scored in the NLDS.

This performance has led many to predict that Cargo will be among the Rockies top producers in the 2010 season. He should be an everyday starter, and will probably be the leadoff man. His speed and baserunning abilities make him the perfect candidate. His contributions were more than anyone expected last season, and have validated the trade of Holiday. Carlos Gonzalez should be a rising star for the Colorado Rockies for many years to come.