Garrett Hampson
Garrett Reese Hampson is an American professional baseball utility player in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and St. Louis Cardinals. Hampson was selected by the Rockies in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them 2018.
Early life and college career
Hampson was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, and attended Reno High School. He played both basketball and baseball for the Huskies, and hit.469 in three years as a varsity player with 418 hits and 158 runs scored and was a two-time All-State selection as Reno won the Northern Nevada 4A Region baseball championship in both his junior and senior years. After his senior year, Hampson was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 26th round 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but opted not to sign and instead play college baseball at Long Beach State University.Hampson played three seasons for the Dirtbags, and was named the Big West Conference Field Freshman of the Year in 2014 and the conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. He was a.303 hitter over the course of his collegiate career with 213 hits and 50 stolen bases. After the 2014 and 2015 seasons, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Professional career
Colorado Rockies
Hampson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 3rd round, with the 81st overall selection, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He signed and spent his first professional season with the Low-A Boise Hawks where he batted.301 with two home runs, 44 RBI and 36 stolen bases. Hampson was named the 19th best prospect in the Rockies system prior to the 2017 season. In 2017, he played for the High-A Lancaster JetHawks, posting a.326 batting average with eight home runs, 70 RBI and 51 stolen bases. Hampson began 2018 with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, and was promoted to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in May.Hampson was called up to the major leagues for the first time on July 21, 2018, and made his Major League debut that day. In his first Major League season, Hampson hit.275 with four RBI and two stolen bases in 24 games.
In 2019, Hampson had the fastest sprint speed of all major league second basemen, at 30.1 feet/second. In 105 games for the Rockies, he slashed.247/.302/.385 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.
Hampson played in 53 games for Colorado during the COVID-19-shortened season, hitting.234/.287/.383 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and six stolen bases. In 2021, he tied for the major league lead in bunt hits, with seven. In 147 appearances for Colorado, Hampson batted.234/.289/.380 with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 17 stolen bases.
In 90 games for the Rockies in 2022, Hampson hit.211/.287/.307 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. On November 18, 2022, Hampson was non-tendered by Colorado, and became a free agent.