It’s been just over six weeks since Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) made his Major League debut. He has played in 39 games, and the “Cole Carrigg Effect” is in full swing. Carrigg has been known to play “with his hair on fire” and hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down in the big leagues — both on and off the field. But how much has Carrigg truly brought to the Colorado Rockies since June 9?
Cole Carrigg himself
Since his debut on June 9, Carrigg has played in 39 of the Rockies’ 41 games and started 34 of them. He is slashing
.287/.360/.519 in 129 at-bats with nine doubles, three triples, five homers, 26 RBI, 15 walks and three stolen bases in five attempts.
He immediately made his presence known, smacking a triple for his first MLB hit — only the second Rockie to accomplish the feat.
He also hit his first homer two games later against the Chicago Cubs on July 11, and hit two more over the next four games. Three of Carrigg’s five home runs have been three-run homers, and the other two were solo shots.
Carrigg has also made some outstanding defensive plays in center field. There was this 8-5 double play in Chicago:
And this diving catch at home against the Pirates:
And this impressive play in San Francisco to get Luis Arraez trying to steal second:
Prior to his call-up, Carrigg was a madman in Albuquerque. In 57 games with the Triple-A Isotopes, he slashed .338/.414/.529 with 15 doubles, five triples and six homers. He had 42 RBI, 27 walks, and 30 stolen bases in 37 attempts — including a steal of home on April 4.
The Rockies with Cole Carrigg
As mentioned above, the Rockies have played 41 games since Carrigg’s debut. During that span, they have gone 18-23. In the two games Carrigg didn’t play at all — June 23 and July 19 — the Rockies lost both contests. And in the five games he didn’t start, they went 3-2.
- On June 27 against the Minnesota Twins on the road, Carrigg entered in the sixth inning as a pinch hitter for Troy Johnston. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and a looking strikeout. The Rockies won 8-5.
- On July 1 against the Miami Marlins at home, Carrigg entered in the eighth inning as a defensive substitution for Troy Johnston. He did not have an at-bat, and the Rockies won 6-3.
- On July 5 against the San Francisco Giants at home, Carrigg entered in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter for Mickey Moniak. He went 0-for-1 with a swinging strikeout. The Rockies won 7-6.
- On July 11 against the Giants on the road, Carrigg entered in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter for Ezequiel Tovar. He went 0-for-1 with a looking strikeout. The Rockies lost 4-2.
- On July 17 against the Cincinnati Reds at home, Carrigg entered in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for Mickey Moniak. He went 1-for-1 with a single. The Rockies lost 7-2.
Carrigg also had a mini slump, where he went 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in the final five games before the All-Star break. The Rockies went 1-4 in those games.
That came on the heels of a brush up he had with Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing on July 6 after hitting a game-tying double and then scoring the go-ahead run in the 10th inning (the Rockies ultimately lost the game 8-7 in 11 innings).
While this wasn’t the first incident of Carrigg getting fired up over a play, it was the one that seems to have brought attention to him, especially with the mini slump that happened after.
Balancing the emotions
On the field, Carrigg has adjusted well to playing at the major-league level, and the numbers make that clear. However, in spring training, Carrigg pointed to the emotional part of his game as a work in progress:
“Probably handling failure like a professional,” Carrigg said of his next step, “getting rid of that immaturity and just letting them know that. If I do come up to the big leagues, I’m sure it’s not always going to be great – hopefully it’s awesome and I do well, but there’s going to be tough times. And being able to handle that like a pro and not bring the club down in any sense, and having any bad attitude or whatever and just being a good locker room guy… I felt like I did a really good job this spring. Granted, it went well so it’s a lot easier to be happy when things are going well. But just handling more of that type of thing like a professional.”
He doubled down on it after the Dodgers game, telling Thomas Harding:
“The edge to win and to play for me, I will never lose – it will never leave. Being able to manage some of that on tough days is something I’ve worked on even through the Minors. But that’s just how I’m wired. I’ve gotten better at it and will continue to, but that won’t cause me to lose any type of edge.”
Recently, a consistent part of his game involves throwing his bat and/or helmet after he records an out while loudly yelling an expletive that rhymes with “fire truck.”
While this fire can help fuel Carrigg in big moment, it can also hold him back. Balancing these parts of his personality and his game is an ongoing project, one that he will need to adjust carefully as he lays the foundation for a long and successful major league career.
The Rockies broadcast crew on Tuesday provided their own insight during the eighth inning of the Rockies-Nationals game while Carrigg flew out to right on four pitches:
Drew Goodman: “I love everything about this kid, but you know what, as he grows, I think he’s going to control his emotions more because every pitch is… he’s living and dying.”
Ryan Spilborghs: “We see this from [Cubs’ center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong]. He’s very emotional. We see it from Cole. You probably heard something snap in the background.”
Jeff Huson: “Ah, it’s just a helmet.”
Spilborghs: “The game is not that easy where… you can’t expect to get a hit every single time, even late in the game.”
Goodman: “You love how competitive he is, but — I mean, you guys went through it for a long period of time in the big leagues. At some point you’re going to wear yourself down if you’re that emotional every at-bat.”
Huson: “Can’t do it every at-bat, no way.”
Spilborghs: “But we’ve also said this: You don’t want to take away that fire that’s in there.”
Goodman: “No, but temper it, right?”
Spilborghs: “Whatever that in-between is that you can just smooth some things out. I just don’t want to take any of that away from him. Like, you remember that conversation we had a few years ago with Justin Turner when he was with the Cubs and we were asking about PCA and he was like ‘Hey, he can be great if he learns to settle down. He’ll just be good if he stays on this path.”
Goodman: “And look at PCA the last two months. He’s handling his emotions — or maybe because he’s not making any outs, he’s not getting that emotional. I don’t know which it is.”
Huson: “Could be a combination of both!”
Huson’s and Spilborghs’ concerns, as well as those of his coaches before them, about Carrigg wearing out are a cautionary note that should not be taken lightly. Carrigg has shown the tools to be an elite baseball player with the versatility and toolsy approach the Rockies value. One part of his game to watch going forward, however, will be how that emotional part of his game evolves.
When Carrigg good, he’s on fire. When he’s struggling, he lets everybody know. And this is a pattern he needs to refocus on if he’s going to have a long and successful major league career.
If Ted Lasso can get through to Jamie Tartt, I’m confident Warren Schaeffer can help guide Cole Carrigg.
McCarthy’s 2026 breakout continues to fuel Trade Deadline speculation | MLB.com
Jake McCarthy has had an outstanding season since the Rockies traded for him in January. Thomas Harding spoke with McCarthy and Warren Schaeffer about what he brings to the team, and whether or not he’ll be part of the Rockies’ long-term vision or be dealt to another team ahead of next Monday’s trade deadline.
Jordan Romano has been a nice pick-up for a Rockies team in desperate need of pitching, especially out of the bullpen in late innings. But his Colorado connection goes back to his days in Toronto, when he was coached by Matt Buschmann as a member of the Blue Jays. Romano made back-to-back All-Star games during that stretch, and is hoping to regain form. Kevin Henry caught up with both of them as they’ve reconnected in Colorado.
On the Farm
Triple-A: Round Rock Express 9, Albuquerque Isotopes 2
It was a back-and-forth affair between the Isotopes and the Express (Rangers). There was some traffic in three of Keegan Thompson’s four innings, but he didn’t allow a single run to score despite giving up three hits. He also walked two and struck out three. Then the bullpen came in, and the four relievers — Evan Shawver, Ryan Miller, Parker Mushinski and TJ Shook — all gave up at least one run (though Shook’s was unearned, as was one of Shawver’s).
On the offensive side, the Topes recorded six hits to the Express’ 12. Vimael Machín went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and a run scored. Recently-promoted Bryant Betancourt also went 2-for-3, while Jordan Beck and Chad Stevens had the other two hits. Betancourt knocked in the second run, but it wasn’t an RBI because left fielder Aaron Zavala committed an error that allowed Stevens to cross the plate.
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels 5, Hartford Yard Goats 2
This game didn’t start until the sixth inning, but unfortunately, all of the Flying Squirrels’ (Giants) runs were scored in the seventh. The Goats kicked things off in the sixth with an Aidan Longwell sac fly to score Dyan Jorge and put them up 1-0. Then, in the seventh, Jorge singled to drive in Mike Antico. But then it all fell apart.
Carlos Torres started the inning by getting Charlie Szykowny to fly out to center. But then Jancel Villarroel reached on catcher interference and Maui Ahuna walked. Jean Carlos Sio struck out, but then Ty Hanchey singled to score Villarroel. Diego Velasquez walked to load the bases, and then Trevor Cohen singled to score two more runs and give the Squirrels the lead. Cohen advanced to second on defensive indifference, but then scored alongside Velasquez when Gavin Kilen singled to center. Finally, Dakota Johnson grounded out to first base, but the damage was done.
The Goats recorded four hits (Jorge 2, Antico 2, McCabe 1) while Torres was saddled with the loss and the blown save after giving up the five runs (three earned) in his single inning of work. But Michael Prosecky (No. 25 PuRP) and Cade Denton looked sharp, combining for six innings (Prosecky 2.2, Denton 3.1) of work in which they allowed just three hits, one walk and seven combined strikeouts.
High-A: Spokane Indians 12, Tri-City Dust Devils 6
It was a fairly back-and-forth affair between the Indians and the Dust Devils (Angels), but an eight-run seventh put the Indians way ahead and they never looked back.
Spokane got things started when Tommy Hopfe was hit by a pitch and was eventually scored on a single by Alan Espinal. They gave one back in the second, but took one back in the third when Hopfe was hit by a pitch again, but then was replaced by Roldy Brito on a force out at second. Brito eventuall scored on a double by Espinal. Tri-City scored twice again in the fifth to put themselves up 3-2, but then Tevin Tucker was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the frame and was scored on a Hopfe double to re-tie the game.
The seventh inning is where things got weird. Francis Rivera got two quick outs, but then David Mershon doubled and Harold Coll walked. Kevin Bruggeman then hit a three-run homer to double Tri-City’s lead. But the Indians said “hold my beer” in the bottom of the frame. They started things off with three-straight singles and a walk, and then Tanner Thach was hit by a pitch to score Brito. Tri City’s reliever Ssam Tookoian was chased from the game between the Hernandez single and the Espinal walk. Kelvin Hidalgo then singled to tie the game… and there still wasn’t an out yet! Jacob Hinderleider was the next batter and the first out, but then Caleb Hobson walked to score Espinal. Tucker was hit by a pitch again to score Thach, and then Hopfe singled to score Hidalgo and Hobson. Tookoian was then replaced by Nicolo Pinazzi, who immediately gave up a single to Brito to score Tucker. That would be the end of the scoring in that inning, as two of the next three batters struck out (the third walked). In total, five Indians were hit by pitches and four walked, and nobody did both. The final run was scored in the ninth when Tucker doubled to score Hinderleider, who singled two batters before.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 19, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6
Not to be outdone by the Indians, the Grizzlies went on an offensive tirade against the Quakes (Angels). They managed 19 runs on 16 hits, but committed three errors. The Quakes, on the other hand, scored six runs on nine hits with two errors. Fresno scored in every inning except the third, fifth, and eighth and every batter recorded at least one hit except PH/LF Yeiker Reyes, 3B Carlos Renzullo and OF Landyn Vidourek.
The Grizzlies scored one each in the first and second, but it was the fourth inning where they blew things open. It started with a lead-off walk by Cruzmel Arias, which came around to haunt three batters later. Cam Hassert singled, but then Ashly Andujar reached on an error and Cam Nelson walked to score Arias. Jeremy Ciriaco then singled to score Hassert, and then Derek Bernard singled to score Andujar. Quakes’ pitcher Jaren Warwick was lifted in place of Alton Davis II, who immediately gave up a single to Wilder Dalis that scored Nelson. Kyle Fossum grounded out to record the first out, and then Vidourek struck out swinging. Arias came up to bat again, this time singling to score Bernard. Then back-to-back-to-back walks to Hassert, Andujar and Nelson scored Arias. Then there was another pitching change to Will Gervase, who threw a wild pitch to score Hassert. Ciriaco grounded out to Gervase to end the inning, but the Grizzlies were up 11-1.
The second big inning happened in the sixth, It started with another lead-off walk to Hassert, which came around to haunt again. A wild pitch by Gervase moved Hassert to second, and then Andujar grounded out to first but moved Hassert to third. Three-straight walks again scored Hassert, and then Dalis singled to score Nelson. Fossum had the biggest hit of the game, though, smacking a grand slam to run up the score 17-4. Vidourek struck out again, but then Arias reached on another error. Hassert singled and Andujar doubled to score Arias. 18-4, Grizzlies.
Dalis got the last laugh, homering in the seventh to make the final Grizzlies’ run total 19. They also ended up walking more times (12) than striking out (8).
Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies 9, ACL Reds 8
The ACL Rockies began the ACL World Series tonight against the ACL Reds, and took Game 1 with a final score of 9-8 in the Arizona heat. The Reds got out to an early 2-1 lead, but a five-run fourth was enough for the Rockies to eke out a win after some late-inning drama.
The fourth inning started with a lead-off walk to Ben Wilmes, followed by a single by Kamuel Villar. Eriel Dihigo hit a sacrifice bunt to move the rummers, and then Matt Klein walked to load the bases. Parker Coddou singled to score Wilmes and tie the ballgame, and after a pitching change, Sebastian Blanco walked to give the Rockies the lead. Jared Thomas grounded out to score Klein, and then Christian Arguelles singled to score Coddou and Blanco. But then Arguelles was caught trying to stretch the single into a double, ending the inning.
The Reds tacked on another run in each of the fifth and sixth innings, but the Rockies scored three more times in the eighth. It started off (again) with a lead-off walk to Klein, who was replaced by pinch runner Gabriel Lopez. Coddou and Blanco hit back-to-back bunt singles, and then a throwing error helped score Lopez. Dariel Garcia then replaced Thomas as a pinch hitter, and two batters later Arguelles reached on catcher interference. Ronny Ugarte then drew a bases-loaded walk, and then Wilmes singled to run up the score 9-4.
The Reds made things a little interesting in the ninth inning, though. Marcos Pimentel came in and got Juan Brown to line out. But then two singles and a walk later set up Jirvin Morillo, who hit a grand slam to make the score 9-8. Pimentel was then replaced by Wilmis Paulino, who walked Eli Pitts to start. But then Naibel Mariano flied out to right, and Hansel Jimenez grounded into a force out at second to end the game.
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