Trevor Story entering a new phase of his career

One way or another, there is going to be a changing of the guard in the Colorado Rockies clubhouse in 2019.

DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez, and Adam Ottavino all served their roles well as vital members of a team that has often prided itself on being about brotherhood and camaraderie. Even Gerardo Parra was an important cog in creating clubhouse unity.

And you may have heard by now that none of them (unless something late happens with CarGo) will be on the roster for the upcoming season.

That does not leave the team bereft of leadership. Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, and Ian Desmond will all continue to grow in their roles, but manager Bud Black would like to see his young star shortstop take on a larger responsibility in this realm.

“I’m encouraging him, for sure,” he said of Trevor Story this spring. “From my role, I tell him where he is, his place on this team now, and it’s becoming more impactful. That’s sort of how I say it to them. They sort of take that how they will and I let them be themselves. I think naturally, he feels more comfortable in that setting in the clubhouse, more vocal. He’s sort of quiet by nature. But more vocal with McMahon, Hampson, Rodger, Boswell, Welker, some of the younger players in camp.”

Someone who has recently been through what you are going through now can be an invaluable asset to any young person in any pursuit.

Three years ago, in camp, he was the younger guy with DJ and some of the older players,” continued Black. “And now he’s becoming a player with service time, an all-star with some national acclaim. I think he’ll relish that moving forward. It takes time to feel comfortable in those shoes.”

But so far? “He’s getting there. I’m keeping my eye on it,” says Black.

And the early word from Story is that he is embracing this. “You learn from the guys ahead of you and learn from the leaders who have been before you,” he said. “It’s time to start doing that.”

He isn’t going to lose his trademark stoic demeanor. “I’m not the most vocal guy,” he added, “But leading by example is huge for me and I try to do that every day.”

Whether Story’s newfound leadership ends up a major factor or not, the All-Star shortstop has plenty of faith in this next generation. These guys are ready,” he said. “They’ve put in the work for us. It’s going to be fun.”