OAKLAND, Calif. — The Rockies on Tuesday promoted the player they hope will one day replace Troy Tulowitzki — even if they’re not ready to push their all-star shortstop out the door.

Trevor Story, the 22-year-old who is among Colorado’s top prospects, was moved from Double-A New Britain to Triple-A Albuquerque for the first time.

“He’s earned the opportunity for a greater challenge,” Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said.

Rumors and reports, especially out of New York, continue to swirl around Tulowitzki, who will make $20 million this season on a multiyear contract that takes him through 2020. With the Rockies floundering in last place, Tulowitzki seems the most valuable trade chip to gain rebuilding pieces for the future.

But Bridich was quick to keep the spotlight on Story and not Tulowitzki.

“This is a Story story,” Bridich said.

Story, the 45th pick in the 2011 draft, excelled for the Rockies in his first spring training invitation before this season.

He was drafted as a shortstop and it continues to be his primary position, even as he has learned to play second base and some third.

“Some of that remains to be seen. You don’t truly know until you see the guy do it at this level,” Bridich said. “But we drafted him as a shortstop and he’s continued to play shortstop in the minor leagues. … At this point, we absolutely believe he can be a major-league shortstop.”

Story was hitting .281 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in 69 games this season in Double-A. He’ll make his Triple-A debut soon, but his jump to the big-leagues likely won’t be immediate.

“Nobody has a crystal ball here to know what the opportunity on the major-league level will eventually be,” Bridich said.

“We want to make sure when there are things we can control, we control them to the best of our ability. And make sure he has enough time and skill development as he can possibly get now, while he’s still developing.”

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke

Looking ahead

Rockies’ Chad Bettis (4-2, 3.56 ERA) at Athletics’ Jesse Hahn (5-6, 3.47), 1:35 p.m., no TV; 850 AM

Bettis continues to claim the No. 1 spot in the Rockies’ power rankings of starting pitchers. He’s been their best arm. In nine starts this season, Colorado has won seven games behind him. Against the Giants in San Francisco last week, Bettis gave up three runs on six hits with three strikeouts in six innings — not earth-shattering numbers, but he earned a second straight victory.

Thursday: Rockies’ Chris Rusin (3-2, 4.69 ERA) at Diamondbacks’ Jeremy Hellickson (5-5, 5.38), 7:40 p.m., ROOT

Friday: Rockies’ Kyle Kendrick (3-10, 6.07) at Diamondbacks’ Chase Anderson (4-2, 3.66), 7:40 p.m., ROOT

Saturday: Rockies’ David Hale (2-3, 5.95) at Diamondbacks’ Allen Webster (1-1, 7.11), 8:10 p.m., ROOT

Nick Groke, The Denver Post