September 18th 2024.
Charlie Condon was a star player at the University of Georgia, hitting an impressive 37 home runs and maintaining a batting average of .433 during his junior season. So, it was only natural that he was thrilled to have the opportunity to take batting practice at Coors Field on Tuesday afternoon.
However, his excitement was soon dampened by the news that a thunderstorm was approaching and the field was being covered with a tarp. This meant that there would be no batting practice, no practice with the major league players, and no chance to run around the expansive outfield.
"It would have been amazing to get out there and see how far I could hit the ball," Charlie, a 21-year-old player who could play both corner infield and outfield positions, expressed his disappointment.
Despite the setback, Charlie, who was the Rockies' first-round draft pick this summer, made the most of his first visit to Coors Field. He got to hit in the indoor batting cage and was thrilled to wear the Rockies jersey and explore the facility.
"It was a surreal experience to put on the Rockies jersey and take a tour of the stadium," he said. "Coors Field is an incredible ballpark and it was really fun to see it in person for the first time."
With high expectations from the team and fans, Charlie knows he has to live up to his potential after signing a record-breaking $9.25 million bonus. However, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound athlete seems to be handling the pressure well.
Manager Bud Black, who met Charlie in person for the first time on Monday, was impressed with his first impression. "You can tell this guy has a great head on his shoulders," he said. "I saw him working in the cage and his swing is really impressive."
Considered the best hitter in college baseball by many, Charlie struggled in his limited playing time in the minor leagues. In 25 games with High-A Spokane, he only managed a .180 batting average with a .518 OPS. But it's worth noting that he was playing against players who were on average 1 1/2 years older than him.
However, in his final game for Spokane, Charlie had a strong performance, going 2 for 3 with an RBI in a 3-2 victory that helped his team win the Northwest League title.
"It was an incredible feeling to help my team win the championship," he said.
Reflecting on his first season in professional baseball, Charlie admitted that it didn't meet his expectations. "It definitely wasn't what I wanted it to be," he said. "But I also learned a lot. The biggest lesson for me was realizing the adjustments I needed to make. Playing in the pros is a big step up from college ball."
He added, "There's a lot to learn from failure, and that's a big part of this game. Being able to take the positives from the tough times and move forward is crucial."
When asked about the biggest lesson he learned, Charlie cited the challenge of playing so many games in a week. "You have to have a routine that helps you fix any mistakes, whether it's mechanical or your approach," he explained. "Having a consistent routine is key."
Despite the ups and downs of his first season, Charlie feels physically ready for the next stage of his career. He will be playing in the instructional league in Arizona, which started on Monday and will continue until October 5th.
In other news, Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon and his wife, Natalie, recently announced a $1 million donation to Children's Hospital of Colorado. The grant will assist families with expenses related to their child's treatments at the hospital.
"We thought about it for a long time and we knew we wanted to do something for kids," Ryan said. "After seeing the incredible work that Children's does and the programs they have in place, we knew it was the right choice."
Ryan and Natalie's daughter, Austyn Brooke, was born in February, and they said that becoming parents influenced their decision to support the hospital. "We feel it even more now," Ryan said. "But I've always been a fan of kids and I think they are the purest form of humans. Helping families going through tough times felt like the right thing to do for us."
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