Colorado Rockies: Garrett Hampson’s MLB Debut

DJ LeMahieu was recently placed on the 10-day disabled list due to an oblique strain.  He suffered during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 20th.  To temporarily fill the void at second base, the Colorado Rockies called up Garrett Hampson from AAA.

Garrett Hampson is currently ranked number six on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 by team for the Colorado Rockies.

Through 38 games with the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies AA affiliate) this season, Hampson held a .391 OBP through 148 ABs with 19 stolen bases.  Due to this strong performance, he was moved to the Colorado Rockies AAA affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes.  (Yes, according to the Isotopes team president, Ken Young, the name was inspired by the fictional Springfield Isotopes on The Simpsons).

Through 54 games with the Isotopes, Hampson held a .371 OBP through 221 ABs with 14 stolen bases.  As his numbers between AA and AAA are impressive, he earned his call-up to the MLB level.

In a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 21st, Hampson made his MLB debut.  Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black placed Hampson 7th in the batting order for his first game.

In the top of the 3rd inning, he had his first career AB against the Diamondback’s Zack Godley.  According to ESPN’s Play-by-Play, he took an 81 MPH knuckle-curveball for a ball.  He then grounded out to shortstop on an 89 MPH sinker that was inside the strike-zone.

In the top of the 5th inning, Hampson experienced a moment he will never forget.  Following a 78 MPH knuckle-curveball outside of the zone and an 88 MPH cutter inside the zone, Hampson ripped an RBI double to deep left field on a 79 MPH knuckle-curveball.

Hampson ended up scoring his 1st career run on a ground rule double by Charlie Blackmon later that inning.

More from Colorado Rockies

• Versatile Michael Toglia shines in second season for Colorado Rockies
• Matt Koch gamble pays dividends for Colorado Rockies
• Colorado Rockies: Ty Blach lives his faith despite series of challenges
• How pitching guru Brent Strom would fix the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field
• Ezequiel Tovar is beginning to meet Colorado Rockies’ high rookie expectations

In the top of the 6th inning, Hampson worked a walk after Godley threw 4 straight balls out of the zone.  Hampson had one more AB in the top of the 8th inning.  He struck out looking on the 5th pitch of the AB.  That 5th pitch was an 82 MPH splitter by Yoshi Hirano.

As Hampson had a successful debut, he should remain at second base while DJ LeMahieu is on the disabled list.  Hampson has experience in the minors at second base, shortstop, and centerfield, so if he performs well, he may not go back down even when LeMahieu returns.

Next: CTTP's midseason top 150 prospects

Garrett Hampson is the first of a number of talented Colorado Rockies infield prospects that will have the opportunity to take over at second base if LeMahieu leaves in free agency after 2018. Based on first impressions, he may have a leg up on the competition.