40. John Thomson

A seventh-round draft pick with a lean frame and a relentless sinking fastball, John Thomson didn't rely on the high-velocity fireworks that often resulted in "taters" in Denver. Instead, he leaned on a focused intensity and a specialized ability to induce contact,

He arrived as a young arm in 1997 and immediately became a workhorse, throwing 166.1 innings in his first full season. While he never reached a dominant statistical summit, he provided the organization with something arguably more valuable in the late '90s: a pitcher who didn't beat himself. He currently sits near the top of the Rockies' all-time leaders for fewest walks allowed per nine innings, a level of control that was essential for survival in a high-scoring environment.

He amassed 27 wins and nearly 400 strikeouts in purple and black before being traded to the Mets in 2002.