Rockies prospect Carrigg to show off shortstop chops with Team Israel

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Team Israel’s need for a shortstop in the World Baseball Classic could have the domino effect of increasing the Major League appeal of Rockies No. 3 prospect Cole Carrigg.

The switch-hitting Carrigg, an athletic second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of San Diego State, spent last season shining in the outfield for Double-A Hartford.

Carrigg led the Eastern League and Double-A with 18 assists -- 16 in center field and two in right field. He finished one assist behind the Minors’ leader, Petey Halpin of Triple-A Columbus (Guardians). But he was mostly a shortstop in college, and that’s a position that can use his arm strength.

Since Carrigg’s grandparents were from Poland and Jewish, Carrigg was eligible for Team Israel. The idea fits the Rockies, whose new front office is smiling upon multi-positional players.

“I just wanted to keep the versatility piece alive,” Carrigg said. “With new management -- [general manager] Josh Byrnes being our guy, he saw me play quite a bit in college and I was playing a lot of short back then.

“It can be really valuable to a big league roster. Hopefully, that time comes. Being able to play a position, whatever it is, is a great aspect to offer.”

Carrigg, who turns 24 on May 8, brings speed in addition to arm strength. He ranked tops in the Minor Leagues in triples in 2024 (14) and over the last two years (20). His 99 stolen bases over the last two seasons ranked 13th among Minor Leaguers. Among all Double-A players last season, he was second in runs scored with 81 and fourth in stolen bases with 46.

Much can change with injuries and spring performance, but Carrigg is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Albuquerque but push for a debut sometime in 2026. Carrigg should have development time, with ‘24 Gold Glove Award winner Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop and a beefed-up contingent of outfield options on the Rockies’ Major League roster.

To prepare for the Classic and give the Rockies a look at him at short, Carrigg is spending the individual skill development portion of the Rockies’ revamped practices working mainly at shortstop. He maintains his outfield skills by shagging fly balls during batting practice.

Carrigg’s display of his athletic ability began Friday, when he started at shortstop against the Diamondbacks in the Cactus League opener.

“It's incredible -- he plays like a wild horse with his hair on fire,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said “I love the way he plays. We need more of that. But it's just about him being here, refining some things. We talked in his player meeting this morning and said that exact word -- it's just all about refinement, without taking away his energy and what he brings to the table.”

The switch-hitting Carrigg will need to find consistency with the bat to break into the Majors. He finished last season, his second full pro season, with a .237/.316/.394 slash line, with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs. He hit .229 against righty pitching.

“I had a little rough patch at the end of summer, so I knew I needed to figure some things out,” he said. “Better to hit a bad stretch in the Minors than as soon as you’re called up to The Show. So I learned a lot this offseason, and I’m just hitting the ground running for spring.”