The Diamondbacks continue to add more infield depth to their camp roster, signing utilityman Garrett Hampson to a minor league deal with an invite to big league Spring Training. The move was announced by the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces.
Welcome home, Garrett 🏠
— Reno Aces (@Aces) January 31, 2025
The @Dbacks signed Reno native Garrett Hampson to a 1-year Minor League Free Agent contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training!
Garrett spent his high school baseball days with @BaseballReno 👀 pic.twitter.com/CU0XjdFLli
The Diamondbacks are familiar with Hampson during his time with the Colorado Rockies from 2018 to 2022. The utilityman has logged more than 600 innings at both middle infield spots and center field during his career. His defensive versatility gives him a competitive advantage to make the Opening Day roster, with good defensive grades at both shortstop and center field.
Hampson will compete in spring with some of the other infielders on the roster. The team picked up Grae Kessinger in a minor trade earlier in the month. Hampson will compete with Kessinger, Blaze Alexander, and Tim Tawa for a bench spot.
While Hampson's calling card is defensive versatility, he isn't much of a hitter. For his career he's a .240 with a .662 OPS. There isn't much in the power or on-base department, with a career walk rate (7.7%) and average exit velocity (86.4 MPH) below the major league averages.
Given that Geraldo Perdomo is the club's starting shortstop, it's more likely that Hampson will see reps in the outfield if he makes the roster. At short, Hampson is +5 Defensive Runs Saved and 0 Outs Above Average while rating at -9 DRS and +14 OAA in center.
One area where he's been strong at is facing left-handers. While holding the platoon advantage, Hampson holds a career .254/.321/.398 slash line. The .321 on-base percentage would help lengthen Arizona's lineup against lefties.
It's unclear if there is an opt-out in his contract should he fail to make the club. If not, he'll have the chance to play for his hometown team while waiting for a major league opportunity.
The Diamondbacks still have work to do to complete their roster in the final weeks of the offseason. Landing a closer and a right-handed bat are still on general manager Mike Hazen's to-do list.