CHICAGO -- Rockies No. 15 prospect Sterlin Thompson is showing the valuable trait of being ready even though the calls don’t come regularly.
Thompson did not play in Colorado’s first two games at Wrigley Field, but on Wednesday night he knocked his first two Major League home runs and added a double in the 8-6 loss to the Cubs.
“I’m just trying to make the most of my [at-bats] when I get in, and play hard,” Thompson said. “I put the work in before, and good outcomes happen from that.”
The Rockies summoned Thompson, 24, from Triple-A Albuquerque in May during a time of multiple injuries in the outfield. They were impressed by his no-fuss hitting stroke that could serve the club either off the bench or in starts as a matchup option.
Is Thompson, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, earning opportunities to create Major League outcomes even when teammates return?
On Wednesday, he hit solo shots off Cubs righty starter Javier Assad in the third and fifth innings. The double was left-on-left in the seventh against Hoby Milner.
“Two homers -- one ‘oppo,’ one pull, the first two career homers -- pretty big night for the rook,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “That’s one he won’t forget. It was an awesome night for him -- and then a left-on-left double [to] the opposite field. Hopefully, his family was here to see that.”
Thompson became the sixth player in club history to hit his first two Major League homers in the same game. The last was catcher Brian Serven on May 21, 2022 against the Mets.
In addition, Thompson added himself to a list of Rockies to homer twice at Wrigley. The others were All-Stars -- Carlos Gonzalez (three times), Nolan Arenado (twice), Hall of Famer Larry Walker (twice), Hall of Famer Todd Helton, Vinny Castilla and Ellis Burks.
“It’s a great moment for sure -- a cool spot to get the first one and then go to the next [at-bat] and hit the second one,” Thompson said. “I always wanted to do it at Coors, but this is a pretty cool spot to hit your first two home runs.”
Thompson delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off single against the Cubs at Coors Field on June 10 – five days after his first three-hit performance, in a home loss to the Brewers. He had a .148 average at the end of May, but has hit .314 this month to bring the overall batting average to .242.
The Rockies are offering plenty of opportunities to young players. Second-year third baseman Kyle Karros knocked his fourth homer of the season, a ninth-inning solo shot. Cole Carrigg has had repeated feats of athleticism in the nine games since he was called up from Albuquerque, each of which he has started in center field.
Karros earned the starting third-base job out of Spring Training and has held it. Carrigg and Thompson might be the beginning of good problems for the Rockies.
Two-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder Brenton Doyle, early-season power producer Mickey Moniak and Opening Day corner outfield starter Jordan Beck all are in various stages of rehab for injuries, with Moniak closest to returning (he begins a Minor League rehab assignment Thursday).
Also, first baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon (Rockies No. 2 prospect, No. 72 overall) and outfielder Zac Veen (Rockies No. 13 prospect) have sizzled throughout the season at Albuquerque and are waiting for opportunities to be promoted. Looking at Carrigg and rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield (10 homers), it’s clear that the Rockies aren’t afraid to play younger players.
Where does Thompson fit in this mix?
“Control what you can control; make the most of it when I’m in there and everything will take care of itself,” Thompson said. “You get lost thinking about transactions and moves.”