When it comes to creating starts for Major League Baseball, there are certain states that get all the love. Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas are among the few states that produce baseball players ready for the major leagues on a regular basis. The state is more known for football, but its baseball contributions cannot be overstated.
Colorado, however, should not be underrated. Colorado baseball has sent more than its share of players to the major league, whether they be from Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, La Junta, Denver, and other areas, be it from high school or university. Some were even two-sport stars excelling in football as well.
Though not as deep as some of those other states, the list of the best baseball players, whether it be a retired or current player, is a formidable one. Let’s take a look at some of the best Coloradoans that have played Major League Baseball throughout the years.
Current MLB Players from Colorado
When looking at the major leaguers who have come from Colorado, we will take a look at everyone from the first player to the most recent. That said, it helps to know how many players are currently in the league. There are currently 12 players on major league rosters as of 2023, none who have been limited to just one game:
- Mark Melacon – Wheat Ridge, CO
- Kevin Gausman – Centennial, CO
- Marco Gonzales – Fort Collins, CO
- Taylor Rogers – Denver, CO
- Ty Blach – Denver, CO
- Tyler Rogers – Littleton, CO
- Kyle Freeland – Denver, CO
- Pierce Johnson – Denver, CO
- David Peterson – Denver, CO
- Lucas Gilbreath – Westminster, CO
- Steven Wilson – Littleton, CO
- Will Brennan – Colorado Springs, CO
Roy Halladay 1998-2013
- Eight-time All-Star
- Two-time Cy Young Award winner
- Perfect Game
- Postseason no-hitter
- Jersey number retired by two franchises
- 2,117 career strikeouts
- 203 wins
When talking about the greatest to ever play from Colorado, the conversation begins and ends with Roy Halladay. Born in Denver, Halladay pitched for Arvada West High School before ultimately being drafted 17th overall in the 1995 MLB Draft.
Halladay began a dominant stretch beginning in 1998, leading the league in complete games five times in seven years at one point. He won both the American League and National League Cy Young award as well, cementing his dominance over a prestigious MLB career. He set the tone in his debut year by nearly throwing a no-hitter in just his second start.
There have been some great pitchers from Colorado, but Halladay is no doubt the best in history. The only way he could have done something more is if he could have suited up at Coors Field for the Rockies, one of the best sports teams in Denver.
Halladay was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2019 as a first-ballot selection.
John Stearns 1974-1984
- Four-time MLB All-Star
- 312 Career RBI
- Career .260 average
Making his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1974, Stearns – nicknamed “Bad Dude” – was a two-sport star in college that became one of the more underrated players of the 1970s. If it weren’t for injuries, there is no telling what kind of play he could have put forward.
Playing out of Thomas Jefferson, Stearns spent the bulk of his career with the Mets. He would rack up four MLB All-Star appearances over 10 seasons, showcasing how effective he could be throughout his career. His .260 average and 312 RBI showed how effective he could be offensively while also contributing so great defensive play.
Injuries began mounting in 1981 and played a role in the end of his career. Stearns was one of the better catchers in the league over his time and a late switch to first baseman couldn’t save his career. A long-time coach, Stearns is one of the best to have played out of Colorado.
Rich “Goose” Gossage 1972-1994
- Nine-time All-Star
- Three-time MLB Saves Leader
- 1978 World Series Champion
- 310 Career Saves
If you needed innings pitched from a reliever in the 1970s, “Goose” was your guy. A bad dude on and off the hill, the right hander was as consistent a pitcher as could be asked for. Playing for the Yankees, Rangers, Padres, and a host of others, Gossage compiled more than 1,500 career strikeouts with an impressive 3.01 career ERA.
His 310 career saves are 27th all-time and he is among just 31 pitchers to register more than 300 career saves. Despite all of his on-field contributions and being one of the best pitchers of his time, “Goose” was known for having one of the best mustaches in the league.
He spent 20+ years making himself into one of the most formidable pitchers in the game. So, it should have come as no surprise that 85% of voters elected him to the 2008 MLB Hall of Fame class. He is definitely on the short list of the best baseball players from Colorado.
Mark Melancon 2009-current
- Four-Time MLB All-Star
- NL Reliever of the Year (2015)
- Two-Time NL Saves Leader
Melancon is a great underdog story that gives MLB Colorado a little credence. A 30th round pick in the 2003 MLB Draft, Melancon was not meant to make it, let alone play 14 years (and counting at the highest level.
In two seasons, he led the National League in saves (2015, 2021). He played in four MLB All-Star Games as well, establishing himself as one of the better relief pitchers in the National League. He began with the New York Yankees and had a nice resurgence in 2021 with the San Diego Padres.
Melancon is still going, currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His career is one of perseverance in the face of untold odds.
Chase Headley 2007-2018
- 2012 Gold Glove Award
- 2012 Silver Slugger Award
- One-Time NL RBI Leader
- 596 career RBI
Headley, a third baseman out of Fountain, was selected in the 2005 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and went on to carve out a nice career for himself. He played the first seven seasons of his career in San Diego, having a breakout season in 2012. He would win the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove that year while also leading the NL in RBI.
After a three-year stint with the New York Yankees, Headley returned back home to San Diego to play his final MLB season. Though he played for just two teams, Headley established himself as a solid third baseman that could be counted on to play solid defense and provide a quality bat in the middle of the lineup.
Honorable Mention
With more space, we could cover those who have played and are still playing in the league. Johnny Frederick, Josh Bard, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Darnell McDonald, Kevin Gausman, Brandon McCarthy, and a litany of others have come out of Colorado baseball.
Major League Baseball has had its share of stars from the University of Colorado as well as high school programs across the state. With several notable prospects coming through the pipeline, this may be a temporary list that changes before long.
Colorado’s Baseball Heritage
As of 2021, Major League players from Colorado had a combined 17.6 WAR among 12 players. Though it doesn’t get the love it deserves from MLB Colorado faithful, there is no denying the baseball contributions of Colorado baseball. With a two-sport star, players with a solid career WAR, and those in the Hall of Fame, MLB Colorado has contributed its fair share.
Texas, California, and Florida, among the other top states, contribute a larger volume of players in addition to some of the top pitchers and batters from across the league. Those are also some of the largest states in the union, so it isn’t fair to compare those who have gone on to play in the league from Colorado to those states.
The local high school and college scene will continue to be a driving factor for getting players to Major League Baseball. University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and great high school programs like Thomas Jefferson, Fountain Fort Carson, and others, the pipeline to Major League Baseball is promising.
The Future of Baseball in Colorado
The pipeline of prospects from MLB Colorado, both from high school and the University of Colorado (among others) has provided some talented prospects. Chase Jaworsky (Houston Astros), Jonah Cox (Oakland Athletics), Ethan O’Donnell (Cincinnati Reds), Colby Shade (Miami Marlins), Graham Osman (Cincinnati Reds), Jack Moss (Cincinnati Reds), Brady Rose (New York Yankees), Cale Lansville (San Francisco Giants), Harry Gustin (San Diego Padres), Laif Palmer (Texas Rangers), and Max Stanley (Tampa Bay Rays) are among the most notable.
Walker Martin, a second-round pick, became the 42nd player in Colorado history to be picked in the first two rounds. He’s the highest player to be picked out of Colorado high school since Darnell McDonald went 26th overall to the Baltimore Orioles in 1996.
Conclusion
Much of the love regarding major league prospects goes to the pipeline stats but Colorado has contributed more than its share of players from high school the University of Colorado, and elsewhere. Teams all throughout the MLB have benefited from Colorado natives.
The San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and a litany of other teams have benefitted from this underrated pipeline. Pitchers, hitters, half of fame talent, and journeymen, all of whom came from the Rocky Mountain State.
