Garrett Hampson Bio
Garrett Reese Hampson (born October 10, 1994) is an American professional baseball utility player who most recently played for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He has appeared in Major League Baseball for six franchises since making his debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2018. Hampson is known for his defensive versatility and speed, having led Major League Baseball in bunt hits during the 2021 season while also posting the fastest sprint speed among second basemen during the 2019 campaign.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Hampson was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. He attended Reno High School, where he was a two-sport athlete, playing both basketball and baseball for the Huskies. During his three-year varsity baseball career, Hampson hit .469 with 418 hits and 158 runs scored. He earned All-State honors in both his junior and senior years as Reno captured the Northern Nevada 4A Region baseball championship. His exceptional high school performance attracted attention from professional scouts.
After completing high school, Hampson was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 26th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. He opted to decline the offer and instead pursued his college baseball career at Long Beach State University, where he would develop into one of the top defensive players in the conference.
Path to Professional Baseball
At Long Beach State, Hampson played three seasons for the Dirtbags program. He made an immediate impact, earning Big West Conference Field Freshman of the Year honors in 2014. His defensive prowess continued to grow, and he was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Over his collegiate career, Hampson batted .303 with 213 hits, ranking seventh in school history, and accumulated 50 stolen bases, placing third all-time at the university.
During the summers of 2014 and 2015, Hampson played for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier collegiate summer leagues in the country. The experience against top college talent further refined his skills and prepared him for professional competition. His combination of contact hitting, speed, and defensive excellence made him an attractive prospect for MLB teams heading into the 2016 draft.
Garrett Hampson Career
Colorado Rockies (2018-2022)
The Colorado Rockies selected Hampson in the third round, with the 81st overall selection, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He signed and began his professional career with the Low-A Boise Hawks, where he posted a .301 batting average with two home runs, 44 RBI, and 36 stolen bases in his debut season. His performance earned him recognition as the 19th-best prospect in the Rockies system prior to the 2017 campaign.
In 2017 with the High-A Lancaster JetHawks, Hampson continued his development by hitting .326 with eight home runs, 70 RBI, and 51 stolen bases. He began 2018 with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in May. The Rockies called him up to the major leagues for the first time on July 21, 2018, and he made his MLB debut that same day. In his rookie season, Hampson appeared in 24 games and hit .275 with four RBI and two stolen bases.
During the 2019 season, Hampson established himself as a regular contributor, playing 105 games for Colorado. He slashed .247/.302/.385 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, and 15 stolen bases while recording the fastest sprint speed among all major league second basemen at 30.1 feet per second. The following season during the COVID-19-shortened schedule, he appeared in 53 games and hit .234/.287/.383 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and six stolen bases.
In 2021, Hampson tied for the Major League lead in bunt hits with seven while appearing in 147 games. He batted .234/.289/.380 with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 17 stolen bases that season. His 2022 campaign saw him play 90 games with a .211 batting average, two home runs, 15 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. On November 18, 2022, the Rockies non-tendered Hampson, making him a free agent.
Miami Marlins (2023)
On December 18, 2022, Hampson signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization. He was added to the 40-man roster on March 15, 2023, and began the season with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Hampson appeared in 98 games for Miami during the 2023 season and posted a career-best batting average of .276/.349/.380 with three home runs, 23 RBI, and five stolen bases. The Marlins non-tendered him on November 17, 2023, returning him to free agency.
Kansas City Royals (2024)
Hampson signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Kansas City Royals on November 29, 2023. He played in 113 games for Kansas City during the 2024 season, batting .230/.275/.300 with 16 RBI and seven stolen bases. The Royals did not retain him following the season, and he became a free agent once again.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2025)
On January 31, 2025, Hampson signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After triggering an opt-out clause on March 21, he had his contract selected to the major league roster on March 23, joining Arizona’s Opening Day roster. In 18 appearances with the Diamondbacks, he slashed .167/.359/.167 with two stolen bases before being designated for assignment on May 12. He was released by Arizona on May 18, 2025.
Cincinnati Reds (2025)
Following his release from Arizona, Hampson signed a major league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on May 23, 2025. He appeared in nine games for Cincinnati, going 3-for-18 with one walk. The Reds designated him for assignment on June 22, 2025.
St. Louis Cardinals (2025)
On June 24, 2025, Hampson was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. In 35 appearances for St. Louis, he went 3-for-29 with one RBI and one stolen base. The Cardinals designated him for assignment on September 8, 2025, and released him on September 11, 2025. Hampson subsequently signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on December 29, 2025, returning to the organization for a second stint.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hampson has built his professional reputation as a defensive utility player capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond. His elite speed is among his most valuable tools, having posted the fastest sprint speed among second basemen during the 2019 season. He has demonstrated proficiency at second base, shortstop, and center field throughout his MLB career. His ability to handle bunt situations stands out, leading Major League Baseball with seven bunt hits during the 2021 campaign. Hampson also brings basestealing ability, exceeding 50 stolen bases in back-to-back minor league seasons before reaching the majors.
Notable Milestones
Among Hampson’s career highlights are his selection as the Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Long Beach State in 2016, his 51-steal season with Lancaster in 2017, and his MLB debut on July 21, 2018. His standout defensive metrics in 2019, when he recorded the fastest sprint speed among American League second basemen, solidified his standing as a valuable utility asset. His ability to contribute across multiple positions while maintaining speed and defensive reliability has made him a consistent roster piece throughout his professional career.
Garrett Hampson Career Statistics
Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2018 through the 2025 season, Hampson has established himself as a capable utility player with speed and defensive versatility. His career totals reflect his role as a supporting player capable of filling various needs across a lineup and throughout the field.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Hampson made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies on July 21, 2018, after an accelerated climb through their minor league system. His career-best offensive season came with the Miami Marlins in 2023, when he posted a .276 batting average in 98 games. Defensively, his most notable achievement was tying for the MLB lead in bunt hits during the 2021 season while playing for Colorado. His 2019 campaign with the Rockies featured his fastest documented sprint speed at 30.1 feet per second, the fastest among all major league second basemen that year.
Professional Career Summary
Across seven MLB seasons with the Rockies, Marlins, Royals, Diamondbacks, Reds, and Cardinals, Hampson has accumulated career statistics that reflect his contributions as a contact and speed-oriented player. He has appeared in over 500 major league games while demonstrating the defensive flexibility that has kept him in professional baseball. His journey through six organizations in a single calendar year during the 2025 season highlighted his persistence and adaptability as a utility player in professional baseball.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .235 |
| Home Runs | 29 |
| Runs Batted In | 130 |
Garrett Hampson Family
Background
Garrett Hampson was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, by his family in the northern Nevada region. His upbringing in the Reno area provided him with opportunities to develop his baseball skills through the local youth baseball system before his standout high school career at Reno High School. No additional details regarding his family members have been publicly disclosed or verified through available sources.
Personal Life
Specific details regarding Hampson’s marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly disclosed or verified. As a professional athlete, he has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the baseball field. His focus throughout his career has been on his performance and development as a utility player across multiple major league organizations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented one of the most turbulent years of Hampson’s professional career. Following the conclusion of his time with the Kansas City Royals, he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in late January. After beginning the season with their Triple-A affiliate, he triggered an opt-out clause in March and was added to the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster. However, after just 18 appearances with a .167 batting average, Arizona designated him for assignment in May before releasing him mid-month.
His stint with the Cincinnati Reds began on May 23 when he signed a major league contract. In nine games with Cincinnati, he recorded three hits in 18 at-bats before being designated for assignment in late June. The St. Louis Cardinals claimed him off waivers the following day, beginning his brief tenure with the organization. Hampson struggled significantly during his time with the Cardinals, going just 3-for-29 in 35 appearances before being designated for assignment in early September and released several days later.
Despite the challenging season, Hampson found an opportunity to continue his professional career by signing another minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on December 29, 2025. The signing marked a return to the organization for a second stint, providing him with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the 2026 season. His ability to remain in professional baseball following a difficult year demonstrated his resilience and continued belief in his abilities as a utility player capable of contributing at the major league level.