Get ready for some serious baseball action as local ballplayers gear up for Spring Training, with a mission to prove their worth and make a lasting impact!
The vibrant city of Phoenix is buzzing with the sound of bats cracking and gloves popping, signaling the start of the baseball season. And this year, things are moving at an even faster pace due to the upcoming World Baseball Classic in 2026.
Among the early arrivals at training camp are Turlock's very own trio of professional ballplayers, each with their own unique story and aspirations. Let's dive into the top storylines surrounding Tyler Soderstrom, Cole Carrigg, and Kade Morris as they embark on their Arizona adventure.
Kade Morris: A Rising Star in the Making
We start our journey in Mesa, where right-handed pitcher Kade Morris has reported to the Lew Wolff Training Complex, ready to seize the opportunities that await him this spring.
A 2020 graduate of Pitman High School, Morris is entering his second consecutive season at the Athletics' big league camp. This year's invitation carries even more significance as it marks his first since being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas last summer.
Morris, a former third-round draft pick from the University of Nevada, aims to prove that his successful second half of the previous season was no mere fluke. He wants to establish himself as a key contributor to the pitching staff.
Currently, the A's starting rotation includes returning pitchers Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs, along with recent free-agent signing Aaron Civale. The final two starting spots are up for grabs, with returning southpaw Jacob Lopez and sophomore Luis Medina leading the race. Kade Morris, ranked as the organization's 14th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, is right in the mix along with other top prospects like Jack Perkins, Mason Barnett, and Gunnar Hoglund.
Last season, Morris made 19 regular-season starts with the Aviators, finishing with a 7-7 record and a 5.22 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He struck out 80 batters in 98 1/3 innings, surrendered 37 walks, and gave up 112 hits. His performance earned him the club's Most Valuable Pitcher award.
In the postseason, Morris started the first game of the PCL Championship Series against the Tacoma Rainers, pitching seven strong innings and allowing just one run to earn the win for the eventual champions.
If Morris makes the major league roster this season or impresses enough for an in-season call-up, he will join Bradin Hagens as the second graduate of Pitman High School to reach the big leagues. Hagens appeared in two games for the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2014.
The A's Cactus League schedule begins on February 21, and fans can expect to see Morris take the mound in multiple games this year. Last season, Morris only appeared in one game, earning his first professional save.
Cole Carrigg: On the Brink of 'The Show'
Cole Carrigg, a 2020 Turlock High School graduate, is under the spotlight as he stands just one step away from achieving his dream of playing in 'The Show.'
Carrigg, who spent the entire 2025 season with Double-A Hartford, was introduced at the Colorado Rockies Fan Fest on January 24 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 year in a row.
Reporting to Rockies camp at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Carrigg will be with the team for the first month of Spring Training before jetting off to Miami to participate in the World Baseball Classic, representing Israel.
The full rosters for the sixth edition of the international tournament were announced on February 5, and one surprise for fans was Carrigg's listing as a shortstop for Team Israel. Despite the Rockies developing him primarily as an outfielder, Carrigg played all 110 games in the outfield with Hartford, including 99 in center field.
Team Israel will compete in Pool D, facing off against the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands, and Nicaragua in a round-robin format at LoanDepot Park in Miami from March 6 to 11. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game will also be held in Miami on March 13, 14, 15-16, and 17, respectively.
In 123 games with Hartford, Carrigg, the former Bulldog and San Diego State Aztec, collected an impressive 113 hits, including 18 doubles, six triples, and 15 home runs. He drove in 64 RBI and reached base an additional 46 times on walks. On the basepaths, he set a new club record for stolen bases with 46, helping him score 81 times. His outstanding performance led all Yard Goats in hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, and runs, as well as OBP (.316), SLG (.394), and OPS (.710).
Being in big league camp and competing against major leaguers in the WBC could accelerate Carrigg's development and potentially open doors for regular-season games at Coors Field. The Rockies are coming off the worst finish in Major League Baseball with a record of 43-119, and Carrigg could be the spark they need.
The Rockies kick off their Cactus League season on February 20.
Tyler Soderstrom: A Star is Born
Tyler Soderstrom, a 2020 Turlock High graduate, had a career year in 2025, earning him the largest guaranteed contract in Athletics franchise history.
The new $86 million man arrived at the Lew Wolff Training Complex in Mesa this week alongside pitchers and catchers, more than a week before the club's first full-squad workout. While the contract is a significant financial boost, Soderstrom's focus remains on helping the Athletics clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2020 and bringing home the organization's first World Series title since 1989.
"There's so much potential within our youthful roster," Soderstrom said. "I'm incredibly excited to be a part of this team's journey. Going forward, the sky's the limit for us."
In his first full season in the majors in 2025, the left-handed slugger smashed 25 home runs and drove in a team-high 93 runs. The 24-year-old batted .276 with a .346 OBP, .474 SLG, and a .820 OPS, solidifying his reputation as a premier defender at a new position.
Despite not playing outfield since Little League, 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 five outs above average tied for the most in left field in the AL, and he was second in defensive runs saved with 10.
The A's will open the 2026 season with a series against the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from March 27 to 29. After another road series against the Atlanta Braces from March 30 to April 1, they'll return home to West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park to face the Houston Astros on April 3 for the club's home opener.
And there you have it, folks! These Turlock ballplayers are ready to take on the world, and we can't wait to see their journeys unfold. Who do you think will make the biggest impact this season? Let's discuss in the comments!
