Rockies’ Cole Carrigg Lets Athleticism Shine On Climb To Coors
Cole Carrigg came into pro ball possessing an unusual up-the-middle skill set, having played catcher, shortstop and center field.
After the Rockies drafted him 65th overall in 2023 as a supplemental second round selection out of San Diego State, Carrigg quickly showed that his long-term future was not at catcher.
His skills were raw there compared with college catchers beginning their pro careers. And Carrigg’s athleticism argued against the role.
“We knew how good he was, especially in the outfield, and he could play short,” Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender said. “It was almost: We’re not in a position where we need this guy to be a catcher. So let’s not beat him up, and let’s make sure that he’s working on shortstop, working in the outfield.”
Catching ended for Carrigg in spring training last year before going to High-A Spokane, where he made 13 starts at shortstop and 94 in center field.
Projected to be the everyday center fielder this season at Double-A Hartford, Carrigg will still play shortstop about once a week. He has quickness and arm strength but gets to balls more because of his athleticism than feel.
Carrigg turns 23 during the season. He is a plus runner with a plus plus arm. Those tools have more impact in center field.
“Let the athleticism play,” Stender said. “He’s natural out there. He covers ground. He can change games with his arm. Nobody wants to run on him.”
The switch-hitting Carrigg hit .280/.358/.475 with 16 home runs and 51 stolen bases in 111 games for Spokane. His homer in the penultimate game broke a tie for the league lead with teammate Kyle Karros and cost Karros the Northwest League triple crown.
Carrigg shows raw power from both sides, and his league-leading home run total showed he tapped into it in games. Carrigg’s power and hit tools are future average.
“He’s natural from both sides (of the plate),” Stender said. “It doesn’t look stiff. It doesn’t look forced.”
ROCKY ROADS
— The Rockies invited the following seven homegrown non-roster players to major league spring training camp for the first time: pitchers Zach Agnos, Chase Dollander, Gabriel Hughes and Sean Sullivan; catcher Bryant Betancourt, third baseman Kyle Karros and outfielder Cole Carrigg.
— The Rockies hired Dave Keller as the Low-A Fresno bench coach. He came from the Cubs’ organization where his experience included nine seasons as their Latin American field coordinator. Cesar Galvez, who had been Fresno’s bench coach the past two seasons, will manage the team. Steve Soliz, who had managed Fresno the past two seasons, will be the catching and game-planning coordinator. That role had been filled by Dustin Garneau, who has joined the Rockies’ major league staff as the bullpen coach.
