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Where local baseball stars are playing as MiLB season begins
Cole Carrigg Spokane
Cole Carrigg has traded in his red Fresno Grizzlies uniform for a red Spokane Indians kit after being promoted to the Colorado Rockies’ High-A squad ahead of Minor League Baseball’s Opening Day (Photo courtesy of Spokane Indians).

The Minor League Baseball season is just over a week old, and local baseball players are off to the races with their respective teams at the various levels.

Carrigg promoted to High-A Spokane

Cole Carrigg has taken his talents to a new level to start the 2024 season — literally. Ahead of Minor League Baseball’s Opening Day last week, the 2020 Turlock High graduate and former San Diego State star was promoted by the Colorado Rockies organization to High-A Spokane (Washington) of the Northwest League. 

After being selected by the Rockies 65th overall in last year’s MLB Draft, the 21-year-old super utility player earned the promotion after a strong minor league camp and 2023 campaign. Last season in 36 games between the Arizona Complex League Rockies and Single-A Fresno, he slashed .350/.408/.600. 

The switch-hitting Turlocker isn’t off to the hottest start in the chilly valley of eastern Washington. He has three hits (a single, home run and a double), four walks and five RBI in 28 plate appearances. When on base, he has swiped five bags. Nevertheless, the Indians had a 6-0 record entering Friday.

Tyler Soderstrom Aviators
Tyler Soderstrom is looking to make his way back to the Oakland Athletics’ big league roster after being optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas last month (Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Aviators).

Soderstrom remains in Triple-A Las Vegas

Perhaps the most accomplished player in terms of professional experience is Carrig’s former Bulldog teammate and fellow 2020 THS graduate, Tyler Soderstrom of the Oakland Athletics.  

Just under four years removed from being selected 26th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft by Oakland, the 22-year-old played in 45 big league games last season. He was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on March 17, a move partly due to the fact that he only had 33 at-bats the entire spring. His playing time was impacted by an early spring stomach illness. Now, extra motivated to make it back to the majors, Soderstrom has strung together six hits and four walks over 43 at-bats. Half of his hits have been home runs. 

The Aviators had a 2-9 record in the Pacific Coast League through Thursday.

Kade Morris Mets
After making a late season start for the St. Lucie Mets in 2023, Kade Morris is back with the Single-A squad. He made his season debut on Wednesday (HELENE HAESSLER/St. Lucie Mets).

Morris makes season debut in Single-A St. Lucie

Over in the Florida State League, 2020 Pitman High graduate Kade Morris made his 2024 pitching debut for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. On Wednesday against the Jupiter Hammerheads, who are affiliated with the Miami Marlins organization, the right-hander tossed five shutout innings, giving up just four hits and a walk while striking out four. In total, he threw 65 pitches, 47 being for strikes. The Mets ended up winning 4-1. Through six games entering Friday, the team had a 2-4 record.

The appearance was Morris’ second in Single-A. The 101st pick overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by New York, the organization has slowly ramped up the right-hander’s development. After a pair of minor league spring training starts and Wednesday’s outing, Morris is expected to be a mainstay in the St. Lucie starting rotation for at least the first half of the MiLB season.