Cole Carrigg blasts three-run homer in loss

Carrigg’s sac fly wasn’t actually caught. Wilyer Abreu had the hard liner to right with the bases loaded go off his glove, but he quickly recovered to throw out the runner advancing to second base. The runner on third did score on play, though, just as he almost surely would have had the ball been caught. Carrigg is now at .271/.379/.542 with three homers and 11 RBI in 14 games since being called up. His exit velocity numbers aren’t as impressive as his line, but given his stolen base potential, he seems worth rostering in mixed leagues while he plays regularly.

Carrigg’s home run was his third in the first 27 at-bats of his big league career. He’s getting the chance to play with Tyler Freeman (concussion) sidelined. Carrigg is showing enough with the bat to provide short-term value at least. With multiple seasons with at least 40 stolen bases in the minor leagues, there’s even upside for more.

Carrigg has two homers while going 4-for-15 in four starts since being called up Tuesday. That the Rockies have played all four games in terrific offensive environments makes judgements on his performance premature, but he’s still a nice option in these next two games, at least.

Carrigg hit one out to right off Edward Cabrera in his third game as a major leaguer. He’s 3-for-11 after his first series at Coors Field, and now he’ll get to go hit in Coors West against the A’s in Sacramento this weekend. He has a chance to provide some short-term value in shallow leagues.

McCarthy will get some time off to rest and recover with top prospect Cole Carrigg in center field and Willi Castro heading out to patrol left field in his place.

Carrigg’s defensive versatility, stolen base upside and opportunity to take advantage of Coors Field’s batting average inflating tendencies make him one of the more intriguing prospects in the fantasy landscape. The 24-year-old receives his first opportunity at the highest level with Tyler Freeman (concussion) hitting the injured list. He’s eclipsed 40 steals in each of the previous two minor league seasons and was slashing .338/.414/.529 with six homers and 30 steals in 57 games at the Triple-A level this season. He’s a savvy pickup in deeper mixed leagues based on his stolen base upside and path to everyday at-bats with the Rockies.

That extends Carrigg’s hitting streak to 14 games, and he has a hit in 21 of his last 22 games. On the season, the 24-year-old is hitting .367/.420/.557 with four home runs, 34 RBI, 26 steals, and a 24/13 K/BB ratio. He hit 15 home runs and stole 46 bases in Double-A last year, but the batting average was not good. This season, Carrigg is pulling the ball more often and hitting it on the ground 12 percent more often, making good use of his speed. He’s also improved his contact rate by 10 percent and cut his swinging strike rate down to nine percent. If these gains hold, he could be a major asset in Coors Field for batting average and stolen bases when he gets his chance.

No one from this trio was expected to crack the Rockies’ Opening Day roster, but Condon made a strong case this spring — hitting .385 (15-for-39) with three homers and nine RBI over 46 plate appearances during Cactus League play. If Troy Johnston or TJ Rumfield struggle early in the season and Condon gets off to a hot start at Triple-A Albuquerque, he could push for a promotion.