BSN Exclusive: Garrett Hampson explains the fine details that set him apart

Garret Hampson stood at his locker-for-the-day in Albuquerque after what proved to be a remarkably fun exhibition game for everyone involved.

Speaking about the finer points of his game and certain details that might have gone unnoticed over his last couple of tuneups, Hampson noted himself and Ryan McMahon as part of why he believes the team can compete for the division.

McMahon, whose locker was located right next to Hampson’s, as it was for most of last season – and they hope this season – interjected with an “adda baby” and a fist bump.

“Me and Mac are gonna be good together, it’s gonna take both of us,” adds Hampson.

Just a few hours before that, Hampson, just a few days before making his first Opening Day roster and a few after making his first ever postseason roster, experienced a career first.

It wasn’t anything crazy like hitting a walk-off, or hitting for the cycle… or hitting a walk-off for the cycle. It’s unlikely to be a milestone he thinks back on years from now. But, in the proper context, it was one of the most impressive things he did all spring.

He threw out a runner at home.

Now, again, that might not sound like much to write home about. The presses don’t need to stop for such an occasion. Things like that happen in baseball all the time.

But this one was different for a number of reasons not the least of which was the fact that Hampson had never played in left field before this spring and had barely even played in the outfield at all.

Drafted and developed as a middle infielder, Hampson has already shown, even at the MLB level in a short stint, to be a quality defender up the middle. His natural athleticism, especially his speed, have played up in center field as well. But with how new all of this is, there are bound to be a few surprises, and Hampson surprised himself with this throw.

I wondered aloud to him whether he has ever attempted to make that particular throw from left field to the plate.

“No, that was my first one,” he says with a huge smile.

Like, even in practice?

“To be honest,” he laughs, “I’ve been taking most of the reps out in center, especially throwing. So I think that was pretty much my first throw from out there but I’m happy with it.”

I would think so, since he easily nailed the runner not with the most rocketing of throws but with a quick release combined with extreme accuracy.

“On the money,” McMahon adds, still glued to the conversation.

Hampson said it ocurred to him once the play was done that he had never really done it before. His baseball instincts just took over and showed once again why he can be a manager’s dream this season.

“That was a lot of fun. I enjoyed that one,” he reflected.

And this is just one small example of how Hampson can use his mind for the game just as well as his physical talent to help win ballgames. We saw another in one of the final spring training games against the Cubs when he attempted, of his own accord, to execute a delayed steal.

This is something, he says, that has long been a part of his repertoire.

“I usually do it if the pitcher is quick to the plate,” he explains. “There’s got to be other ways to steal and for that particular moment, I felt that it was a good opportunity. I got a little unfortunate with the pitch location, the catcher kinda stood up but that’s definitely something I look for.”

Hampson lets the situation dictate the action, something that will serve him well as the super utility man of the 2019 Rockies.

“Obviously in spring, that’s the time to take chances and work on things like that,” he says. “Just like with anything else: bunting, stealing bags, hit-and-run.”

Some folks believe that you shouldn’t ever bunt, or steal, or hit-and-run, but Hampson holds that you just need to know when to do those things.

Of course, you don’t make it to the show if you can’t hit. Hampson’s on-base ability is likely the biggest part of his game that has earned him so many quick promotions. But it is all the little things he does that separate him from and intriguing project player to a legitimate weapon off the bench who should still get plenty of starts.

So, despite beginning last year at the High-A level, Hampson has made his first Opening Day roster and he couldn’t be more thrilled.

“It feels great,” he says. “I feel really good. I just want to contribute to winning baseball. I’m happy with how everything went this spring. I’m happy with my progressions in the outfield and at different positions. So that’s my attitude, just trying to contribute the best I can.”

And it looks like the best he can is going to be very good.