Local ballplayers gear up for Spring Training, eager to prove their worth
PHOENIX — The sun shines brightly over the Phoenix metropolitan area, with the crack of bats and pop of gloves filling the air. It's the sign that baseball season is upon us.
The off-season has flown by, and Major League Baseball operations are speeding up at an unprecedented pace. With the 2026 World Baseball Classic on the horizon, players are reporting to camp early, including Turlock's very own trio of professional ballplayers.
Here's a closer look at the top storylines surrounding Tyler Soderstrom, Cole Carrigg, and Kade Morris as they embark on their Spring Training journey in Arizona.
Kade Morris, RHP, Athletics
Kade Morris, a right-handed pitcher, is making waves in Mesa. He's reported early to the Lew Wolff Training Complex, setting the stage for a spring filled with opportunities.
As a 2020 graduate of Pitman High School, Morris is returning to the Athletics' big league camp for the second consecutive season. This year's invitation carries extra weight, as it's the first since his promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas last summer.
Morris is determined to prove that his second-half success last season wasn't a fluke. He aims to establish himself as a key contributor to the pitching staff.
With the Athletics' starting rotation already featuring Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, and Aaron Civale, Morris faces competition. However, his position as the organization's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, along with the presence of Jack Perkins, Mason Barnett, and Gunnar Hoglund, gives him a solid foundation.
In the Pacific Coast League, Morris made 19 regular-season starts, boasting a 7-7 record and a 5.22 ERA. He struck out 80 batters, walked 37, and surrendered 112 hits in 98 1/3 innings. His performance earned him the title of Most Valuable Pitcher.
During the postseason, Morris showcased his prowess, starting the first game of the PCL Championship Series against the Tacoma Rainers. He earned the win, pitching seven innings of one-run baseball for the eventual champions.
If Morris secures a spot on the major league roster or achieves success that leads to an in-season call-up, he'll become just the second graduate of Pitman High School to reach the big leagues, joining Bradin Hagens, who appeared in two games for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014.
The Athletics' Cactus League schedule begins on February 21, and Morris is expected to take the mound in multiple games this year.
Cole Carrigg, OF/INF, Colorado Rockies
Cole Carrigg, a 2020 Turlock High School graduate, is under the brightest spotlight in baseball. He's just one step away from making it to 'The Show.'
At the Colorado Rockies Fan Fest on January 24, Carrigg, who spent the entire 2025 season with Double-A Hartford, was introduced alongside members of the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. As the No. 3 prospect in the Colorado system, Carrigg has received an invite to major league camp for the third consecutive year.
Carrigg, reporting to the Rockies' camp at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, will join the team for the first month of Spring Training before heading to Miami to participate in the World Baseball Classic, representing Israel.
Despite the Rockies' focus on developing Carrigg as an outfielder, he was listed as a shortstop for Team Israel. In 110 games with Hartford, Carrigg played exclusively in the outfield, including 99 games in center field.
Team Israel, including Carrigg, will compete in Pool D of the tournament, facing the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Nicaragua in a round-robin format at LoanDepotPark in Miami from March 6-11.
In 123 games with Hartford, Carrigg collected 113 hits, including 18 doubles, six triples, and 15 home runs, with 64 RBI. He reached base 46 times on walks and set a new club record for stolen bases with 46, helping him score 81 times.
Carrigg's presence in big league camp and his participation in the WBC could accelerate his development, potentially leading to regular-season games at Coors Field. The Rockies, coming off the worst finish in Major League Baseball at 43-119, could benefit from his spark.
The Rockies' Cactus League schedule opens on February 20.
Tyler Soderstrom, OF, Athletics
Tyler Soderstrom, a 2020 Turlock High graduate, had a career-defining 2025 season. His success earned him the largest guaranteed contract in Athletics franchise history.
Soderstrom, the new $86 million man, arrived at the Lew Wolff Training Complex in Mesa alongside pitchers and catchers, more than a week before the club's first full-squad workout.
The contract provides financial security and alleviates the stress of trying to earn a roster spot, which Soderstrom has experienced over the last two years. However, his primary focus remains on helping the Athletics secure a postseason berth for the first time since 2020 and bringing the organization its first World Series since 1989.
Soderstrom expressed his excitement, highlighting the team's potential and the limitless possibilities ahead.
In his first full season in the majors, Soderstrom, a left-handed slugger, hit 25 home runs and drove in a team-high 93 runs. He batted .276 with a .346 OBP, .474 SLG, and an .820 OPS, all while establishing himself as a premier defender at a new position.
Despite not playing the outfield since Little League prior to late April, Soderstrom was named a Gold Glove finalist. In 108 games in left field, he recorded 231 putouts and 11 assists, with only two errors. His assists were second-most among AL left fielders.
The Athletics will begin the 2026 season against the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from March 27-29. After a road series against the Atlanta Braves from March 30-April 1, the team will host the Houston Astros for their home opener at West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park on April 3.
