Friday 4x4: Rockies Were in Win-Win in 2013 Draft

Jon Gray, who starts Friday for the Rockies, was the third player taken in the 2013 draft. Kris Bryant, who will start at third base for the Cubs, was the second player selected in that draft. Pitcher Mark Appel went No. 1 overall to the Astros. Both the Cubs and Rockies celebrated. Neither had interest in Appel and both had interest in Gray and Bryant.

The Rockies were set to take whichever one the Cubs didn't take. 

Here's the kicker. With the presence of Nolan Arenado, if the Rockies had drafted Bryant he most likely would have become a right fielder. The thought process was he played primarily first base in college and therefore would be more accustomed to how the ball came off the bat to the right side of the field.

Bryant has enjoyed his limited time in Coors Field. He is the leading hitter among Cubs players at Coors Field.

The Rockies can welcome the Cubs to Coors Field -- literally.

Since the start of the 2016 season no NL team has been a bigger headache for the Cubs than the Rockies. Not only do the Cubs have their worst winning percentage against the Rockies, but the Cubs ERA is higher against the Rockies than any other NL teams in that time period, and the Rockies have a higher batting average against the Cubs than any other NL team.

The Rockies offense has been in a funk. DJ LeMahieu, however, is the exception. LeMahieu, who could be come a free agent in the fall, leads the Rockies offense in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, walks, average and on-base percentage, and is second to Charlie Blackmon in  slugging percentage.

The Rockies are 2-4 at Coors Field this season, tied with the Cardinals for the fewest home games played so far. The Rockies, however, are 11-9 overall, and despite the problems in the first two home series, they have had they have had a winning record at  Coors Field in 17 of the 23 seasons they have played in the facility.