This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding's Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
DENVER -- Rockies No. 2 prospect Cole Carrigg is known for stealing -- he has 40 of them this season for Double-A Hartford. On Aug. 1, he stole second, third and home in the space of six pitches.
Watching him steal an inning with his right arm, though, rivals watching him run in terms of excitement.
During the July 10 game at Portland, Carrigg sprinted to the right of center to field Ahbram Liendo’s line drive. Portland runner Caden Rose tagged to go to third in a decision that was in all ways logical until Carrigg’s pinpoint throw reached third on the fly to allow Kyle Karros to make an easy tag.
Carrigg, 23, has multiple ways to affect a game. The switch-hitter is slashing .236/.327/.395 with 12 doubles and five triples and is tied for the Eastern League lead with 67 runs scored. He also has a healthy 49 RBIs from the leadoff spot. His 16 outfield assists (14 from center, two from right) demonstrate that he takes away runs defensively.
On offense or defense, Carrigg leaves opponents feeling robbed.
“Defensively, I’m trying to be super-aggressive,” Carrigg said. “I want to get any outs I can to help the pitcher. If I can make a play, maybe back-pick somebody at second, or get somebody trying to stretch a hit to third or to second, I’m going to try to do that.
“At the same time, you’ve got to be somewhat smart, because errors can really cost you. But you’ve got to work your butt off to cut balls in the gaps and put yourself in better spots to make plays happen.”
Selected 65th overall by the Rockies out of San Diego in 2023, Carrigg turned heads at the MLB Draft Combine with a 102 mph throw from the outfield. He raised eyebrows with his desire to be a catcher, which was his favorite position growing up. But Carrigg’s top-shelf athletic ability led him to adjust his dream.
Funny part is there’s still a catcher within. There’s also a shortstop deep down inside. He played the position a few times during a standout 2024 at High-A Spokane.
“The biggest thing that catching has helped, whether it’s in center or at short -- which I played a little last year and in college -- is you’re in charge behind the plate,” Carrigg said. “You know where the ball is supposed to go at all times. I know where guys are when the ball is hit, where I need to go and what play needs to be made.”
Carrigg is showing that speed, defense and occasional power are enough to turn a game. Next for him is becoming a more complete hitter. His slash line is down from last year’s .283/.359/.491 split at two Minor League levels, and he has 118 strikeouts against 100 all of last year. It’s all logical, being in the Eastern League -- which is a jump from the Northwest League, and can tilt toward the pitchers. He is learning to meld the athlete with the technician.
“If you’re tight and things aren’t going well, it’s not a bad thing to just be free and let your athleticism take over in the box,” Carrigg said. “But hitting can be very technical at times. You’ve got to be disciplined. I’m trying to be as simple as possible with my moves, keep my shoulders square, drive the ball up the middle.”