LOS ANGELES -- It began with a series of spectacular defensive plays. Yes, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado set the bar high by winning Rawlings Gold Glove Awards in 2013 and '14, his first two Major League seasons, but he exceeded those standards with an early spate of gems that included a diving catch onto the tarpaulin roll in San Francisco and a launch into the stands for a catch in Cincinnati.
The bat also caught up with the glove. Arenado hit .293 in the first half while earning his first All-Star Game invitation, and in the second half vaulted himself into the National League lead in home runs -- with teammate Carlos Gonzalez giving close chase -- and RBIs.