Garrett Hampson Bio
Garrett Reese Hampson, born on October 10, 1994, in Reno, Nevada, is an American professional baseball utility player currently a free agent. Known for his versatility in the field and his speed on the base paths, Hampson has spent his Major League Baseball (MLB) career playing for multiple organizations across both the National League and the American League. Over the course of his professional journey, he has built a reputation as a dependable defender and a smart baserunner.
Selected by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, Hampson made his major league debut in 2018 and went on to play for the Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals. His ability to play several positions, including second base, shortstop, and the outfield, has made him a valuable utility option for every team he has joined.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Reese Hampson was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, where he attended Reno High School and played for the Huskies. At Reno High School, he was a multi-sport athlete who competed in both basketball and baseball. As a varsity baseball player across three seasons, Hampson hit .469 and tallied 418 hits along with 158 runs scored, establishing himself as one of the most productive hitters in the program’s recent history.
His strong play earned him two All-State selections, and his teams won the Northern Nevada 4A Region baseball championship in both his junior and senior seasons. Following his senior year, the Washington Nationals selected Hampson in the 26th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but he opted not to sign. Instead, he chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Baseball
Hampson enrolled at Long Beach State University, where he played three seasons for the Dirtbags and developed into one of the top infield prospects in the country. In 2014, he was named the Big West Conference Field Freshman of the Year, signaling his early impact at the college level. He later earned Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, highlighting his glove work and range in the field.
Over the course of his collegiate career, Hampson batted .303 and racked up 213 hits, the seventh-most in school history, while stealing 50 bases, the third-most in program history. During the summers following the 2014 and 2015 seasons, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition.
Garrett Hampson Career
Early Career in the Minors (2016-2018)
After being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round with the 81st overall selection of the 2016 MLB draft, Hampson began his professional career with the Low-A Boise Hawks. In his first season, he batted .301 with two home runs, 44 RBI, and 36 stolen bases, showcasing the speed that would become a hallmark of his game. Heading into 2017, he was ranked as the 19th best prospect in the Rockies organization.
In 2017, Hampson moved up to the High-A Lancaster JetHawks, where he posted a .326 batting average with eight home runs, 70 RBI, and 51 stolen bases. He began the 2018 season with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats before being promoted to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in May, continuing his steady climb through the minor leagues.
Colorado Rockies Tenure (2018-2022)
Hampson received his first call-up to the major leagues on July 21, 2018, and made his MLB debut that same day. In his initial major league season, he hit .275 with four RBI and two stolen bases across 24 games, giving the Rockies a glimpse of his offensive potential and baserunning ability. His speed and defensive flexibility made him a fixture in Colorado’s lineup over the following seasons.
In 2019, Hampson played 105 games for the Rockies and slashed .247/.302/.385 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. That year, he also recorded the fastest sprint speed of all major league second basemen, measured at 30.1 feet per second, underscoring his elite foot speed. During the 2020 COVID-19-shortened season, he appeared in 53 games, hitting .234/.287/.383 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and six stolen bases.
Hampson’s 2021 campaign saw him tie for the major league lead in bunt hits with seven, a testament to his small-ball skills and plate discipline. In 147 appearances, he batted .234/.289/.380 with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. The following year, in 2022, his production dipped as he hit .211/.287/.307 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 90 games. On November 18, 2022, the Rockies non-tendered Hampson, making him a free agent.
Miami Marlins Stint (2023)
On December 18, 2022, Hampson signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization, and on March 15, 2023, he was selected to the 40-man roster. He opened the 2023 season with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp before being recalled to the majors. In 98 games with Miami, he delivered a career-best .276/.349/.380 slash line with three home runs, 23 RBI, and five stolen bases.
His performance in Miami represented his most productive offensive stretch at the major league level. However, on November 17, 2023, the Marlins non-tendered Hampson, returning him to free agency once again.
Kansas City Royals Season (2024)
On November 29, 2023, Hampson signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Kansas City Royals, giving him an opportunity to contribute in the American League. He appeared in 113 games for Kansas City in 2024, batting .230/.275/.300 with no home runs, 16 RBI, and seven stolen bases. While his power numbers were limited, his speed and defensive versatility remained valuable assets for the Royals.
2025 Journeyman Year (2025)
On January 31, 2025, Hampson signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and after triggering an opt-out clause, he was formally added to the Opening Day roster on March 23. In 18 appearances for Arizona, he slashed .167/.359/.167 with two stolen bases. He was designated for assignment on May 12 and released on May 18.
Just days later, on May 23, 2025, Hampson signed a major league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. In nine games with Cincinnati, he went 3-for-18 with one walk before being designated for assignment on June 22. On June 24, the St. Louis Cardinals claimed him off waivers, and he appeared in 35 games for St. Louis, going 3-for-29 with one RBI and one stolen base. The Cardinals designated him for assignment on September 8 and released him on September 11.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Hampson’s career came in 2019, when he posted the fastest sprint speed of any major league second baseman, measured at 30.1 feet per second. In 2021, he tied for the major league lead in bunt hits with seven, showcasing his unique ability to manufacture offense with his legs and bat control. His debut with the Rockies on July 21, 2018, also marked the beginning of a long MLB journey that has seen him suit up for six different organizations.
Garrett Hampson Career Wins
As a utility player and middle infielder, Garrett Hampson’s value throughout his MLB career has come from his speed, defensive versatility, and ability to play multiple positions rather than from any single win or championship. His career has been built on consistency in the field and on the base paths, with stolen-base totals that highlight his game-changing speed.
MLB Highlights
Across his time in the majors, Hampson has accumulated notable stolen-base totals, including 15 steals in 2019, 17 in 2021, and 12 in 2022 with the Rockies, along with 23 career-best stolen-base performance splits during his time with Miami. While he has not yet won a major individual award or championship, his longevity and ability to remain in the majors across six organizations speak to the respect he has earned around the league.
Other Performances
At the minor league level, Hampson put together impressive seasons with the Boise Hawks, Lancaster JetHawks, Hartford Yard Goats, and Albuquerque Isotopes, posting batting averages above .300 in multiple stops. His college career at Long Beach State also produced strong offensive numbers, including a .303 career average and 50 stolen bases, the third-most in school history.
Garrett Hampson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Garrett Reese Hampson was raised in Reno, Nevada, where he developed his baseball skills from an early age. His family supported his athletic pursuits through high school and college, though specific details about his parents and siblings have not been widely publicized.
Personal Life
Hampson has kept much of his personal life private, and there are no widely reported details about his marital status, spouse, or children. His focus throughout his professional career has remained on baseball, with his journey taking him across multiple cities and organizations since his debut in 2018.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a whirlwind for Garrett Hampson, as he has moved between three different major league organizations within a single calendar year. After signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks in January and making the Opening Day roster in March, his time in Arizona lasted only into May, when he was designated for assignment and subsequently released.
Hampson quickly caught on with the Cincinnati Reds in late May, though his stint in Cincinnati proved brief, lasting just nine games before another designation for assignment. His most extended 2025 stay came with the St. Louis Cardinals, who claimed him off waivers in late June. In 35 appearances with St. Louis, he continued to provide utility depth, though his offensive production remained limited before his September release.
As the 2025 season concludes, Hampson once again finds himself as a free agent, with his speed, defensive versatility, and experience across multiple positions likely making him an attractive depth option for organizations seeking middle-infield and outfield help heading into 2026.