Rockies prospects Condon, Thomas get taste of big league pitching

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The thrills arrived quickly for the first two position players the Rockies selected in the 2024 MLB Draft -- No. 3 overall pick, No. 29 MLB Pipeline and No. 2 Rockies prospect Charlie Condon and No. 12 Rockies prospect and second-round pick Jared Thomas.

Just days into Minor League camp, both highly ranked prospects were part of an intrasquad game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, where they faced Major League pitchers.

¡°It¡¯s getting at-bats anywhere you can, and obviously you want them to come off the best-talented pitcher that you can get,¡± said Condon, 21, a corner infielder/outfielder and holder of the University of Georgia single-season and all-time home run records.

¡°It¡¯s awesome,¡± said Thomas, 21, an athletic outfielder/first baseman who found his power stroke at the University of Texas with 16 homers last year before being selected 42nd overall. ¡°This is the ultimate goal, to face [Major Leaguers] day in and day out. To be able to do that early in Spring Training was special.¡±

Few fans knew about or made it to the backfield for the game, which for the most part featured Major League pitchers Kyle Freeland and Scott Alexander, and relief prospect Juan Mejia, getting their work in against Kris Bryant and other Major League vets who did not make the trip to Peoria, Ariz., for the 4-3 Cactus League victory over the Padres.

But it was a day to mark for Condon and Thomas, who have been in camp just a few days, while most of the Major League pitchers have been gearing up for almost three weeks and had been participating in Cactus League games. Condon faced a full count against left-hander Lucas Gilbreath before popping out, and lined hard to left field against right-hander Anthony Molina. Thomas faced Molina twice -- he struck out and grounded out.

While both new players were at a timing disadvantage as well as an experience mismatch, their pedigree suggests they will catch up quickly. There always is a chance that either or both could get their first Cactus League action before the Major League squad breaks camp.

Condon led all NCAA powers in home runs in 2024. His numbers in his pro debut (.180 at High-A Spokane) suffered because he attempted to play through a bone spur on his right ring finger and changed his bat grip to compensate for the injury -- a problem that had its origins at Georgia. He didn¡¯t immediately report the injury, saying: ¡°I¡¯ve just got a competitive nature about myself.¡±

But he is all healed. And he is 6-foot-6 and muscular.

¡°I¡¯m here to show myself,¡± Condon said. ¡°I¡¯m here to flash the hit tool, flash the power tool, show the defensive versatility that I have in my bag. But I want to be myself, continue to grow as a player, create relationships with teammates, get to know guys throughout the organization, grow closer as a group but also as an individual.¡±

Thomas is a link to the Rockies¡¯ past. Former Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, an assistant coach at Texas, convinced Thomas to modify his offensive approach to increase his home run power for pro ball. Important to Thomas, if less-measurable statistically, is the way Tulowitzki encouraged him to use his intense personality to his benefit.

¡°Tulo and I are pretty similar in that aspect,¡± Thomas said. ¡°Coming in as a freshman in college, trying to slow it down or control the aggression, I would get a little timid and not really go for it. That¡¯s something I¡¯m glad I learned at the beginning of my college career.¡±

Updates
? Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar was hit on the left triceps by a first-inning pitch from Padres starter Michael King. Tovar stayed in until being removed for a pinch-hitter in the third inning.
? It was the first action under game conditions this spring for Gilbreath, who underwent neurogenic thoracic outlet surgery on Oct. 30. Gilbreath underwent Tommy John surgery in Spring Training 2023, and the problem in the neck/shoulder last season limited him to three Major League outings. Gilbreath pitched without incident while celebrating his 29th birthday.
? Lefty Carson Palmquist also made his first appearance under game conditions this spring. Palmquist was away from the team while mourning the death of his grandmother. Shortstop and No. 13 Rockies prospect Ryan Ritter homered off Palmquist in an otherwise solid first step.