It's Time Nolan Arenado Became A Household Name

For roughly a year now Nolan Arenado has been baseball's best kept secret. He plays on the west coast for a shitty Rockies team, which means it's not often he gets talked about in the national media. But at 25 years old Arenado has become one of the best all around players in the league, and it's time we start recognizing it.

Defensively Arenado has been a star since he came to the majors. The third baseman has already won three gold gloves, which is one for every year that he's been in the league. Since his 2013 debut he leads all third basemen in defensive runs saved with 69. The next closest are Manny Machado with 56 and Josh Donaldson with 43. Safe to say nobody is catching him anytime soon.

Arenado's offensive production took a little longer but man did he eventually put it all together. After hitting a combined 28 home runs in 2013-14 Arenado erupted last season for a National League leading 42. He also led the NL with 130 RBI and 354 total bases. The first time all star finished eighth in the MVP voting and won a silver slugger.

Through the first month of 2016 Arenado has shown no signs of slowing down. He leads all of MLB with 11 home runs and 25 RBI and is playing his usual elite defense. The Rockies are off to a modest 12-13 start but do not expect to be contenders, especially with the Dodgers and Giants in their division. However, with Troy Tulowitzki out of town and Carlos Gonzalez not the player he once was, Arenado is the no question face of the Rockies. His combination of power and defense means it's time he becomes one of the faces of baseball as well.