Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

9 of 25

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 17: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies goes first to third on a Rockies hit in the bottom of the fourth inning of a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /

17. Carlos Gonzalez

Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez has had a distinguished MLB career. In 10 years, he has hit over 200 home runs, been named to the All-Star Game three times and has three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. Go ahead and downplay his career .288/.345/.510 career line as a product of Coors Field, but CarGo has been a very productive hitter for a full decade.

The start to Gonzalez’s walk year (he’s finishing up a seven-year, $80-million contract that has been a great deal for the Rockies) could not have gone much worse. He entered the month of August hitting a pitiful .228/.301/.339, by far the worst numbers of his career. Since August 1, however, Gonzalez has hit .318/.395/.576 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBI in 40 games. The Rockies have been surging with CarGo finding his old form.

Gonzalez has been even better in the month of September, hitting .391/.500/.870 with seven doubles, five home runs and six multi-hit games. If he is able to continue this hot hitting into October, the Rockies are a real threat in the National League. They’ll have to get past the Arizona Diamondbacks first, but could give the Dodgers fits. The Rockies have given Clayton Kershaw the business on multiple occasions already this year, and that was without Gonzalez hitting. If he plays postseason hero, CarGo may set himself up for a nice payday.

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