With the Colorado Rockies in the midst of another rebuild, Cole Carrigg’s call-up on June 9 was a needed spark for the fanbase. Both literally and figuratively, as the Rockies’ sixth-ranked prospect plays with his head on fire. In just four games with the Rockies, he has already made his presence felt. Showing some of the potential that has made the 24-year-old one of the most intriguing Rockies prospects since getting drafted out of San Diego State University in the second round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.
The Intriguing Ceiling of Cole Carrigg
Carrigg is a true Swiss Army Knife, playing every position at least once while with the Aztecs in college. After being drafted by the Rockies, he has spent a large majority of his time in centerfield, playing 245 games in center over four Minor-league seasons. But he also played seven combined games at catcher with High-A Fresno and in the Arizona Complex League in 2023. Other than the outfield, Carrigg has also played in 45 games at shortstop, including 18 games with Triple-A Albuquerque this season. But that position was obviously a roadblock in the Majors due to the Rockies’ Gold Glove defender at short, Ezequiel Tovar.
With every day center fielder Brenton Doyle currently on the IL since May 20 with a left oblique contusion, Carrigg is getting valuable reps in center. Including a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs in which he got his first taste of game action patrolling the spacious Coors outfield. Like Doyle, Carrigg’s ceiling is a player with five-tool potential. MLB Pipeline grades Carrigg as a player with average power, above-average speed, well above-average arm strength, and slightly above-average fielding.
With reportedly strong interest from around the league in Doyle this offseason, Carrigg was a possible successor should the Rockies ever decide to move Doyle. Though Doyle has struggled to replicate his offensive production from 2024, he is still an excellent defender, winning consecutive Gold Gloves in his first two seasons in the Majors. It is a luxury to have a defender like Doyle to man center field at Coors. However, if Carrigg can show that he can carry that mantle, the talk around Doyle will get very interesting. Especially if Carrigg can pair solid defense in center with offensive production.
Cole Carrigg Showing Offensive Potential Early On
Carrigg wasted no time introducing himself to the Rockies’ faithful. He struck out in his first at-bat against Colin Rea, but deposited a four-seamer from Rea down the first-base line in his second at-bat, earning a triple for his first career Major League hit.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW COLE! pic.twitter.com/69tW1ycXp8
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 10, 2026
Showcasing the blazing speed that helped Carrigg collect 76 steals over 180 games between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque in 2025-26. Making Carrigg a perfect fit for a Rockies team that has been significantly more aggressive on the bases this season. Led by newcomer Jake McCarthy (11 steals), who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. The Rockies have nine players with at least three steals and 55 steals total this season, good for 10th in the Majors.
Colorado has finished with 90+ steals just once since 2016, collecting 95 steals in 2018. From 2022-25, the Rockies finished with 293 combined steals, never finishing higher than 23rd in the league in steals during that stretch. The Rockies have already surpassed their 2022 regular-season total, in which they finished 29th in the MLB with just 45 steals. Carrigg has yet to collect his first bag in the Majors, but it is only a matter of time. He brings above-average speed to a Rockies team with the most collective speed on the roster since 2018. But it’s not just Carrigg’s speed on the bases that he has shown so far.
First Career Homer
Hitting on the road is always an adventure for the Rockies. As is customary early on in Carrigg’s career, he wasted no time bucking that trend. With the Rockies down 2-0 following consecutive homers by Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz in the fifth inning, he was presented with his first major run-producing opportunity in the top of the sixth. After collecting just three hits through the first five innings, the Rockies greeted Athletics’ starting pitcher Gage Jump with consecutive singles and a walk to load the bases.
The A’s then went to the bullpen, and reliever Justin Sterner struck out Hunter Goodman. Following a sac-fly by Troy Johnston, the Rockies were staring down the potential of scoring just one run following the bases loaded with zero outs. But Carrigg met the moment and crushed a first-pitch cutter 450 feet to right center to give the Rockies a 4-2 lead.
🗣️ COLE CARRIGG pic.twitter.com/U2caubBzIs
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 13, 2026
He only had six home runs in 257 plate appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque this season, but did hit 43 home runs over his four seasons in the minors. Rockies’ manager Warren Schaeffer lauded Carrigg picking up the lineup in that moment postgame:
“He was awesome. Yeah, I mean, he picked up Goody. What we had bases loaded, nobody out, punch out Troy, fly ball out, scored a run, which was good. But to cash in on all those, that was huge for the team, picking his boys up. Cole looks great; he’s just playing hard, man. I love watching him play.”
Carrigg has been a lot of fun to watch play in his very young Rockies career. The Rockies may have lost last night 6-4, but Carrigg helped the Rockies get off the mat. Cashing in on a crucial scoring opportunity, which has too often gone to waste this season in the Rockies’ 26-44 start.
Carrigg is the sixth Rockie to make his MLB debut this season, and he won’t be the last. But he very well might be the most exciting.
Main Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
