I remember first seeing Garrett Hampson walk up to the plate on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. It was a really exciting moment, in addition to the excitement I already felt getting to be at the ballpark. I feel like Garrett Hampson deserves appreciation and happiness.
As a high school student at Reno High School in Nevada, Garrett played both basketball and baseball. He was on the varsity baseball team three years in high school, with a .469 batting average, 418 hits, and 158 runs scored. Not only that, but he also was a two-time All-State selection his junior and senior years of high school as Reno High School was the Northern Nevada 4A Regional champion both years.
That is absolutely amazing. As a coach, I would forever be proud to have someone that talented on my team. As a player, I would be very blessed to have a teammate who plays so excellently to play alongside me. In addition, getting named as an All-State selection twice? Very well deserved for Garrett! An amazing player deserves to receive such amazing honors.
Garrett took his amazing talents with him to California State University, Long Beach. After his freshman season in 2014, he was named Big West Conference Field Freshman of the year. Two years later, he won Defensive Player of the Year. There is no doubt in my mind that Garrett is deserving of those two awards.
During his time as a Long Beach State baseball player, his batting average was .303. Additionally, he had the seventh-most hits in university history, 313 hits, and the third-most stolen bases, fifty. Those are some brutally impressive statistics. As a coach or manager, I would be beyond blown away by a player like this and would constantly be giving them phenomenal rave reviews.
Garrett’s hard work paid off when he played Minor League ball. He stole 36 bases, batted 44 runs in, and had a .301 batting average. I’m impressed by that. It goes to show that he has proven his place in the Colorado Rockies organization. What’s even more impressive is the fact he was ranked the nineteenth best prospect in 2017, and he lived up to that. His .326 batting average was supported with eight home runs, 70 Runs Batted In, and 51 stolen bases. Beyond impressive. What a wonderful way to prove your place.
He is also a very fast human. In 2019, he ran more than 30 feet per second. That’s faster than any other second baseman. I absolutely believe that. I saw him run like a madman in two different games, one on Wednesday, July 25, 2018; the second on Saturday, August 3, 2019. I remember he was nicknamed Hamster. I imagine hamsters running like they’re Olympic athletes. That’s an accurate description of how Garrett runs.
I imagine three different amazing scenarios happening to Garrett: hitting for the cycle, an inside-the-park home run, and a walk-off grand slam in the All-Star Game. This is how I imagine Garrett hitting for the cycle: third base twice, a home run, first base, and second base. While he only needs to hit to third base once to complete the cycle, being the anthropomorphic top fuel dragster he is, he is very likely to hit to third base more than once.
Considering the fact Garrett is a lightning fast baserunner and has lovely batting skills, he has a wonderful opportunity to hit an inside-the-park home run. I imagine him hitting a fastball against a pitcher from a division rival, whether it’s Arizona, Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco. The outfielders run as fast as they can but they can’t get to the ball in time. By the time someone gets the ball and throws it to the infield or the catcher, Garrett has already bolted across home plate and has gotten a huge hug from Trevor Story, Ryan McMahon, and Nolan Arenado.
I can visualize Garrett being finally selected for the All-Star game in three years’ time. National League down two runs. Pittsburgh Pirates player at first base, Miami Marlins player at second base, San Diego Padres player at third base. First pitch to Garrett goes over five hundred feet and lands in the right field stands. Game over. Grand slam home run to save the day for the National League. Garrett wins All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
Garrett Hampson, you are an absolute rock star! Keep up the good work! Can’t wait to see you on the field again soon!
SOURCE:
Elephants & Extra Base Hits 