Let’s Talk About Cole Carrigg

Is the speedy center fielder a successor to Brenton Doyle?

Renee Dechert

14 Feb 2025 — 4 min read

Cole Carrigg (Source: Spokane Indians Instagram)

At Rockies Fest, one thing that became clear during the prospect panels is that Cole Carrigg has the attention of his teammates.

Here’s Kyle Karros:

The craziest thing I've seen in professional baseball is actually a person. It's Cole Carrigg. I spent the entire year with him in Spokane, and every single night, there's something new with that guy. He's an incredible baseball player. If anyone can go watch him, you should because you'll be entertained, impressed, and confused by the end of the game because he's just a crazy ball player. So being with him every day, I definitely saw some stuff that I've never seen happen on the baseball field.

Although I’ve been reading Carrigg’s name in Colorado Rockies prospect rankings, Karros’ comments made me think it was time for a closer look. Plus, with rumors surfacing of a possible extension for Brenton Doyle, it’s worth considering what Carrigg would bring to the Rockies and if he would be in line to replace Doyle.

Can You Give Us Some Background Info?

I can do that.

Born on May 2, 2002, in Modesto, California, Carrigg graduated from Turlock High School before attending San Diego State.

(Yes, he’s an old-school tall-socks kinda guy.)

While with the Aztecs, Carrigg was a truly utility player:

• Center field: 53 starts

• Shortstop: 24 starts

• Third base: 21 starts

• Second base: 17 starts

• Catcher: 5 starts

• Left field: 5 starts

• Pitcher: 3 appearances

That’s every position except right field (which was his position during two seasons of summer ball). Adding to Carrigg’s versatility? He’s a switch hitter. He finished at SDSU with a cumulative slashline of .333/.399/.477.

Interesting. How Has His Professional Career Gone?

It’s good.

The Rockies drafted him in the 2023 MLB draft 65th overall (Competitive Balance-B Round). He received a $1.3 million signing bonus.

After 13 games, it was clear Carrigg was ready to move beyond the Arizona Complex (.396/.464/.688 with 8 extra-base hits), so he was promoted to Low-A Fresno, where he continued to hit pretty much anything thrown at him (.326/.376/.554 in 23 games).

The Grizzlies continued to explore where he would best fit, playing him in center field as well as at short and catcher.

“We knew how good he was, especially in the outfield, and he could play short,” Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender told Baseball America. “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.”

Carrigg spent 2024 with High-A Spokane where he was mostly in center field (94 starts) with an occasional stint as shortstop (13 starts). He was also the Indians leadoff hitter for the entire season. When the confetti settled on the championship Indians, Carrigg had slashed .280/.358/.475 including 16 home runs and 11 triples. His 51 stolen bases were second in the Northwest League.

Carrigg is acknowledged for winning Player of the Week.

His accomplishments were not unnoticed. Carrigg was named “Player of the Week” three times, was selected as an All-Star, and was named the Rockies best defensive outfielder and best athlete by Baseball America.

Interesting fact: Carrigg hit a home run in the penultimate game of the season, breaking a tie for the league lead with teammate Kyle Karros — the hit cost Karros the Northwest League triple crown.

What Do the Skills Look Like?

The numbers show a good hitter. This video might give you a sense of his athleticism.

And although the video below is a year old, it provides a sense of Carrigg’s powerful throwing arm:

Sure it’s early, but there’s reason to believe that in Carrigg, the Rockies have found Doyle’s successor.

What’s Next?

Although Carrigg was not at Rockies Fest, he did receive an invitation to spring training as a non-roster invite, so soon, we should be seeing how he compares to other players in the Rockies system.

We’ll know more after he’s spent time with the Hartford Yard Goats and their pitcher-friendly Dunkin’ Park.

Clearly, though, he’s a player to watch.

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What I’m Reading

• Jeff Aberle’s “Colorado Rockies Prospect #12: Kyle Karros” (Purple Row) — Last week, I gave my evaluation of Karros; here’s what Aberle had to say in Purple Row’s prospects ranking.

• Thomas Harding’s “Bryant Tops List of 3 Hot Topics as Rockies Prepare for Camp” (MLB.com) — Can Kris Bryant stay healthy, and should the Rockies ever allow him to play in the outfield again? Stay tuned!

• Joelle Milholm’s “Melissa Ludtke Blazed a Trail in MLB that Women in Sports Media Are Still Following” (Breakaway) — Milholm described Ludtke’s recent conversation with Jenny Cavnar at The Tattered Cover. (Really wish I could have attended that, but this is the next best thing.)

• Renee Dechert’s “Rockies Spring Training After Dark: Notes from Salt River Fields (13 February 2025)” (Purple Row) — This is the second in a series I started this week that just gives a sense of what’s happening at spring training based on materials we receive from the Rockies. It just seemed like a topic we should give more space to on the site.

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