SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Condon is not hard to find at Salt River Fields. At 6-foot-5, he towers over most of the Rockies’ clubhouse, but it is the noise he has been making in the batter’s box that has captured everyone’s attention. As Colorado heads into the final week of Spring Training, the question surrounding the No. 3 overall pick from the 2024 Draft has shifted from whether he is ready for the professional grind to just how soon he will be in Denver.
For Condon, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rockies' No. 2 prospect and No. 70 overall, the road to this point has been defined by being overlooked. A Marietta, Ga., native, Condon was an unrecruited walk-on at the University of Georgia who redshirted his first year just to put on enough muscle to compete. Two years later, he was the 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner and the owner of the NCAA BBCOR era home run record.
That same perseverance has been on display in Arizona. Entering Sunday, Condon is hitting .382 with three home runs and nine RBIs across 17 Cactus League games. For the prospect, the production has gone hand-in-hand with acclimating to a new clubhouse.
"It’s been good," Condon said. "As a group and individually, both have gone very well. Just getting in here with a new staff and a new core of the organization has been good to establish the ways things are going to be done over here."
While the Rockies’ roster currently features potential openings at the corners, the path for Condon is further complicated by fellow riser TJ Rumfield, who is having a strong spring and is also vying for a spot at first base. But it’s Condon’s ability to move between the corner infield and the outfield that could help make a strong case for a mid-season callup. After splitting 2025 between High-A and Double-A, Condon has adjusted quickly to Major League pitching this spring, evidenced by a sharp RBI double against the Mariners Wednesday.
But for Condon, the physical results are secondary to a shift in his mental approach.
"I’d say more confidence," Condon said of his mindset since the start of camp. "The more success you have at the higher levels, the more confident you're going to be. Just feeling within myself, knowing that I belong wherever I'm at and I can compete with anybody."
That sense of belonging will be tested this Saturday during the Spring Breakout game against the D-backs, where Condon is expected to headline a Rockies squad featuring the organization's best prospects.
"It’ll be fun," Condon said. "That’s always a fun event to play against other organizations' top young talent. Also, to be chosen to represent our organization, the Colorado Rockies, it’s an honor."
Despite the soaring expectations and a $9.25 million signing bonus, Condon still carries the low-key demeanor of the kid who just wanted a chance to play. Like many athletes, he has learned that the key to staying sharp on the field is knowing how to get away from it.
"It’s about getting as much time in with friends and family just away from the field," Condon said. "I like to golf. I like to fish. But other than that, nothing too crazy. Just go home and get off your feet a little bit."
As the Rockies prepare to head to Miami for their March 27 season opener, the reality of roster depth likely dictates a Minor League assignment for Condon to start the year. But for a player who went from an unrecruited walk-on to the No. 3 overall pick, waiting for an opportunity is nothing new. Condon has spent this spring making it clear that when the call to Denver eventually comes, he won’t just be happy to be there -- he’ll be ready.