WEST SACRAMENTO — As one of the most touted prospects out of the 2023 draft class and the No. 6-ranked farmhand in the Colorado Rockies organization, per MLB Pipeline, Cole Carrigg’s last three months as a professional baseball player have been a whirlwind.

The Turlock High School graduate earned his third invite to major league spring training, picked up his infield glove for the first time in over a year, spent a week on the international stage by playing in the World Baseball Classic in Miami and began the MiLB season with a promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque.

All roads led back to home this week, as Carrigg and the Isotopes flew into Northern California for a six-game series with the Sacramento River Cats at Sutter Health Park, less than a two hours drive from where he made a name for himself as a ballplayer as a Bulldog.

Ahead of Thursday’s game, the Journal caught up with Carrigg during batting practice, where he expressed excitement over being back home and playing in front of familiar faces.

“It’s been nice being back on this side of the country and playing some baseball,” said Carrigg, who spent all of last season in the Eastern League with Double-A Hartford in Connecticut. “It’s great that I get to see my family this week and have them come to some of the games.”

The road trip began with a postponed game on Tuesday, as thunderstorms hit West Sacramento. That game will be a part of a doubleheader Saturday, with both ends scheduled for seven innings and the action starting at 4:30 p.m. The Isotopes won Wednesday’s game 6-0 and dropped Thursday’s contest by a 12-10 score. With a base hit and walk on Thursday, Carrigg extended his on-base streak to 15 games.

Heading into Friday, the switch-hitter was batting .302 (26 for 86) with six walks, four doubles, three triples, a home run, 17 RBI and 12 stolen bases. His work at the plate has helped the Isotopes achieve a 13-10 record, tied for first in the Pacific Coast League with Sugar Land (Houston Astros).

“I’ve felt really good at the plate, putting in the work day in and day out,” Carrigg said. “I really only have one goal in mind, that’s to play in ‘The Show,’ stick there and help the Rockies turn it around.”

The Rockies (10-16) are last place in the ultra-competitive National League West after coming off the worst season in franchise history (43-119).

But change has come in the front office, and Carrigg is viewed as a cornerstone of the future alongside many of his Albuquerque teammates. Also with the Isotopes are Charlie Condon (No. 2), Sean Sullivan ( No. 11), Zac Veen (No. 13) and Sterling Thompson (No. 15).

This offseason, the Rockies brought in new President of Baseball Operations Paul Podesta and hired Warren Shaeffer as the big league skipper. In turn, the organizational and developmental philosophy had changed.

“You could see pretty quickly in spring that there was a heightened awareness and a lot more intent with what we were doing,” Carrigg said. “I want to help this team start winning, and that hunger is there throughout the organization.”

Carrigg was informed at the start of spring training that he’d likely start the season in Triple-A. During Rockies Fest at Coors Field on Jan. 24, he participated in a fan Q&A with fellow Isotopes players and coaches.

“I feel like Double-A was pretty good preparation for this,” Carrigg said. “Once you reach that level, you’re at the point where pitchers have the stuff to get to the big leagues. They have the pitches, they attack your weaknesses and you have to adjust.”

Carrigg collected 113 hits — including 18 doubles, six triples and 15 home runs — with 46 walks and 64 RBI in Hartford. He also set a new club record for stolen bases with 46. The 23-year-old then slashed .387/.394/.645/1.039 with 12 hits including four doubles, two triples and six RBI and eight runs scored in 13 Cactus League games.

In between his spring stint in Arizona was a trip to the World Baseball Classic.

Carrigg joined Team Israel after talking with a friend about eligibility requirements. Knowing of his paternal grandmother’s Jewish heritage and her roots in Poland, Carrigg readily accepted a spot on the roster. It offered an opportunity to play against some of the game’s best players in front of the largest crowds. In Pool D at Miami’s loanDepot Park, Israel was placed with powerhouses Dominican Republic and eventual champion Venezuela.

“The Venezuela and Dominican games had the biggest crowds I ever played in front of. They were pretty rowdy,” Carrigg said with a laugh. “Being in a big league stadium with that noise was something else. It was nice to get two wins (against Nicaragua and the Netherlands) and qualify Israel for the next WBC, so hopefully I get to do it again in three years.”

At the plate, Carrigg was 2-for-15 with an RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored as Israel finished 2-2 in the tournament.

The experience also offered an opportunity for Carrigg to return to the infield, which has translated into his time in Rockies camp and in Triple-A. After only appearing in the outfield for 100 games in Hartford, Carrigg served as Israel’s starting shortstop, and continued to play the position upon his return to spring training. With the Isotopes, he has logged 15 games in center field and five at shortstop, only recording one error in 56 total chances.

“I’ve always prided myself in being able to do everything,” said Carrigg, who played every position except pitcher at least once at San Diego State. “I almost want to prove to myself that I can be more than an outfielder. I know I can play the infield. I can handle it and play well there.

“Not being able to play in Double-A was fine, but I wanted to be out there moving around and stuff. I’m always looking for a way to get into the lineup and help the team win in the big leagues. If I can play more positions, the more I can help. And with this new regime, that’s the mindset — do everything it takes to win ball games. That includes bunting, pinch-hitting, moving around and just being versatile.”

There was no better example of the importance of availability and versatility than what was displayed last year by his Turlock High teammate and best friend Tyler Soderstrom, current star for the Athletics, who currently play home games at Sutter Health Park. Last season, Soderstrom, drafted at catcher in 2020, played the first month of the season at first base before transitioning to left field.

“It’s awesome to see what he’s doing,” Carrigg said. “I’ve been around him for so long and have done it all with him over the years, so I know what it takes to be successful.”

If Carrigg is successful in his quest to break into the big leagues this year, he would be the ninth alumnus of Turlock High to play in Major League Baseball and the first to make his debut since Nick Avila with the San Francisco Giants in 2024.

“I know this is achievable and attainable, and that this isn’t some far-fetched idea that you only dream about. I can actually turn this into reality. I'm going to keep giving it my all, and at the end of the day, I trust it’ll be enough.”