Story-book start: Rox SS makes MLB history
Prospect first player to hit two HRs in debut on Opening Day
PHOENIX -- In his Major League debut, Rockies shortstop Trevor Story notched his first hit in style -- a three-run, opposite-field home run off D-backs ace Zack Greinke in the third inning of Monday night's 10-5 Rockies win at Chase Field.
In his next at-bat, Story took Greinke deep again to become the first player in Major League history to hit two homers while making his debut on Opening Day.
"I'm just kind of on a high right now," Story said. "I'm going to enjoy it with my family and friends.
"It was a good day. There's just a lot of joy inside me."
Gif: Trevor Story two homers
Story, who grounded to third in his first Major League at-bat in the first, laced Greinke's first pitch over the right-field wall with runners at second and third during a six-run third. According to Statcast™, the hit traveled at 103 mph and went an estimated 364 feet, with a 29-degree launch angle. In other words, it left the park quickly.
The 23-year-old then crushed a solo shot off Greinke in the fourth, a 439-foot blast according to Statcast™ that traveled at 106 mph with a 29-degree launch angle.
With the status of veteran Jose Reyes uncertain because of an offseason domestic violence charge, which was later dropped, Story -- the Rockies' No. 11 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com -- won the starting shortstop position by hitting .340 with six home runs, four doubles, a triple and 13 RBIs in the Cactus League.
"We saw right away in Spring Training, he played with a certain calmness and confidence -- the veteran guys embraced him right away, because they could see the same thing everyone else did," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.
Story became the first Rockies player to homer in his Major League debut on Opening Day since third baseman Jeff Baker against the Padres in 2005. Baker was the last Rockies player to make his debut as an Opening Day starter.
Veteran right fielder Carlos Gonzalez followed Story's first homer with a solo shot for a 5-1 lead. The Rockies would score six in the inning. Story's second homer came during Greinke's final inning.