DENVER -- Rockies first-round Draft pick and MLB Pipeline No. 10 prospect Charlie Condon has dealt with high-profile settings. He starred in the Southeastern Conference at Georgia, and in the first few weeks of his pro career was part of High-A Spokane’s club that took the Northwest League Championship Series on Saturday.
But unexpected pressure came Tuesday.
The Rockies brought Condon, 21, to Coors Field to take batting practice before the team’s game against the Diamondbacks, but threatening skies led to the decision to lay the tarp and cancel the hitting session. That moved Condon’s first swings in Denver to the indoor batting tunnel, which meant all eyes were closer.
“Mr. Schmidt [general manager Bill Schmidt] was watching me,” Condon said. “A couple other big front-office guys were back behind me and a couple of other players.
“It wasn’t the most stress-free round I’ve ever taken.”
Tuesday was the latest spin on what has been a whirlwind. Condon, selected third overall, judiciously took a break at the end of the collegiate season and needed a mini-camp at the team’s complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. When he joined Spokane, he was restarting his season while everyone else was in a championship chase.
Condon went 18-for-100 (.180) with one home run and 11 RBIs in the small regular-season sample. He was 2-for-3 with an RBI in the clinching playoff game.
“Reading the reports every night, there were some things we get, [like] exit velocity,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “The ball is coming off the bat when he hits. There wasn’t anything alarming.”
Condon said the break before the Draft was welcome, since his season is continuing. After watching Wednesday’s Diamondbacks-Rockies series finale, Condon will return to Scottsdale for instructional ball through Oct. 5. Condon said he has no positional preference -- third base, corner outfield or first base. The taste of pro ball will help direct his offseason work, with preparing for nearly daily games being a major emphasis.
“Professional baseball is a big step up from college baseball, so learning the ins and outs of that, making adjustments that need to be made is something I’m going to be aware of,” Condon said. “”It was not great, but I’d say there’s a lot to be learned from failure.”