DENVER -- It can begin with a press conference, complete with the purple pinstripes worn over the shirt and tie, a Rockies hat on top and a smile in between. Or it could be the anticipation of prospect hype.

But since most major free agents arrive with fanfare, and most every first-round MLB Draft pick vaults to the upper rungs of the prospect ladder, more often than not the play doesn¡¯t match the introduction.

Those who live up to billing, however, deserve a special place: A spot on the Top 5 list of debut seasons in Rockies history.

1. Trevor Story, 2016

Shortstop mainstay Troy Tulowitzki had been traded in 2015. Tulowitzki¡¯s replacement, Jos¨¦ Reyes, was under an MLB suspension. No one knew much about Story, and no one knew what to think when he had a blistering 2016 Spring Training. Then Story homered twice off the D-backs¡¯ Zack Greinke in the season opener, went deep seven times in the first six games and was a key cog for a team that hung around for most of the summer.

Story had a .272 batting average with a National League rookie shortstop-record 27 home runs before having his season cut short by a torn left thumb ligament that occurred on July 30. The Rockies were .500 (52-52) through that date and at least flirted with making big trades to bolster the pitching for a late-season run. The knowledge of the injury put a massive hole in their lineup and cooled their pursuit. Missing Story, they finished 75-87.

2. Troy Tulowitzki, 2007

We¡¯re relaxing the ¡°debut season¡± rules a bit here. Tulowitzki played in 25 games in 2006. The main reason Story shows up atop this list is his exploits came with no previous Major League experience.

By ¡¯07, Tulowitzki shed his No. 14 jersey for No. 2 and became ¡°Tulo¡± -- a salty, refuse-to-lose player who fit right in with a young core. Tulowitzki batted .291 with 24 home runs and 99 RBIs, pulled off one of the rarest plays in baseball (the unassisted triple play) and helped drive a miracle finish and the Rockies¡¯ only trip to the World Series. He finished a narrow second in Rookie of the Year voting to the Brewers¡¯ Ryan Braun.

3. Andrés Galarraga, 1993

In July 1992, Galarraga was playing for the Cardinals and batting under .200. At wit¡¯s end, he was so ready for change that he gave over his entire stance and approach to the team¡¯s hitting coach, Don Baylor. A new open stance that put two eyes on the pitcher and forced his stride toward the ball led to a .301 batting average over his final 45 games that year. Baylor then became manager of the expansion Rockies and made Galarraga the team¡¯s first major free-agent signee.

All Galarraga did was become the team¡¯s first All-Star, and finish the season with a Majors-leading .370 batting average, as well as 22 home runs and 98 RBIs -- despite two lengthy injury absences.

4. Larry Walker, 1995

While starring with the Expos, Walker became so intrigued with the massive crowds at Mile High Stadium during the Rockies¡¯ first two seasons that he pushed his representatives to seek a deal with the Rockies going into ¡¯95 -- the team¡¯s first season at Coors Field. Walker¡¯s impact was immediate.

Playing in 131 of the 144 games during the labor-dispute-affected season, Walker batted .306 with a .607 slugging percentage, 36 home runs, 31 doubles and 101 RBIs as the Rockies earned the NL Wild Card.

5. Jason Jennings, 2002

Let¡¯s fudge a little more, since Jennings technically debuted in 2001. By the way, what a debut it was -- a shutout at Shea Stadium with a home run, and a 4-1 record in seven starts. But in ¡¯02, his official rookie season, Jennings went 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA, struck out 127 in 185 1/3 innings and earned NL Rookie of the Year honors.