Cole Carrigg has developed into a do-it-all player in his first two years at San Diego State University.
As Carrigg enters his junior season this spring, he is receiving interest in anticipation of the 2023 MLB draft. Scouts project Carrigg as a potential first-round pick. He has the chance to be San Diego State’s first first-round draft pick since Stephen Strasburg went first overall in 2009.
“That is awesome,” Carrigg said. “That is pretty much all I have ever dreamed of since I was a little kid. That would mean the world.”
Carrigg is a well-round player who can do it all on the diamond. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound switch-hitter has quality bat-to-ball skills and a line-drive approach. He doesn’t strike out frequently. He also possesses plenty of speed and can steal double-digit bases.
Defensively, Carrigg has experience playing virtually every position. He was a catcher and shortstop at Turlock (Calif.) High School, splitting time at each position with 2020 first-round pick Tyler Soderstrom. In college, Carrigg has played second base, shortstop, third base and outfield while also pitching 7 1/3 innings between San Diego State and the Cape Cod League.
Carrigg is athletic and possesses a strong arm. He has the skill set to play in center field or on the left side of the infield in pro ball. Scouts also are intrigued by Carrigg’s potential behind the plate, which is where Carrigg said he’s the most comfortable defensively.
“The biggest strength for me is my ability to play anywhere on the field,” Carrigg said. “Also, my competitiveness. I want to win. I know we had a bad year last year, but I owe it to my boys, which is one of the biggest things I bring to the table.”
Now an upperclassman with a strong understanding of the college game, Carrigg is confident in his skills and hopes to improve his leadership abilities this season.
“I need to become more of a leader,” Carrigg said. “There isn’t necessarily something I need to improve when it comes to my performance. I’m sure I will play fine. I just need to keep doing what I have been doing for the last couple of years, and I will be fine. I just need to be a leader for the younger guys and bring a winning culture back to San Diego State.”
In his first two years at San Diego State, Carrigg has developed into an impact player in all aspects of the game. He recorded a .348 average, 26 doubles, five home runs, 63 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 325 at-bats in 91 games.
Carrigg is San Diego State’s best player and will play a vital role in the team’s success this season.
Last season, San Diego State posted an 18-38 record. The Aztecs have not qualified for the NCAA tournament since 2018. Carrigg believes the Aztecs have the pieces to return to the NCAA tournament this season, especially if they play with a team-first mindset, he said.
“Our goal is always the same – win a regional and get into a super regional,” Carrigg said. “Our spirits are super high right now, and we are all amped. We are putting in the work this fall.”
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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for eight years. He has interviewed 433 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
