SPO➡️SHOW: Six Indians Debut in 2026

Spokane ➡️ Hartford ➡️ Albuquerque ➡️ Denver

There are approximately 5,232 miles separating Avista Stadium from Coors Field, with stops in Hartford, CT, and Albuquerque, NM, along the way. Six former Indians players took the final steps in that journey this year and made their MLB debuts with the Colorado Rockies.

A full list in alphabetical order can be found below:

Sterlin Thompson | May 15th | Colorado Rockies

A first-round pick out of the University of Florida in 2022, Thompson was part of a record-setting 2023 Spokane lineup that also featured Adael Amador, Jordan Beck, Yanquiel Fernandez and Braxton Fulford. Thompson was named a Northwest League Post-Season All-Star after slashing .323/.399/.520 with 22 doubles and 39 RBI in 60 games with the Indians, and capped off the season by being named to the AFL Rising Stars team after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. He struggled in his first full Double-A season in 2024 (.245/.319/.385) but rebounded to post a .911 OPS with Triple-A Albuquerque in 2025. Thompson was batting .344 through his first 36 games with the 'Topes this spring when the Rockies called up him to the big leagues on May 15th. The sweet-swinging outfielder picked up his first MLB hit on May 18th, delivered his first MLB walk-off on June 10th, and clubbed his first two MLB home runs at Wrigley Field on June 18th.

Welinton Herrera | May 25th | Colorado Rockies

An international free agent signing in 2021, Herrera reached Spokane in 2024 and was key part of that year's Northwest League title-winning squad, picking up the win in Game 3 and striking out four over a pair of innings in Game 4 of the NWLCS. The left-hander returned to Spokane in 2025 but was promoted to Hartford in May after a dominant 15-game showing with the Indians (0.49 ERA, 10 SV, 0.76 WHIP). "Beef" opened this season with Albuquerque and made his first big league appearance for the Rockies on May 25th, tossing a 1-2-3 eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made two more scoreless appearances for the Rockies, but was shut down for the rest of the season torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow

Cole Carrigg | June 9th | Colorado Rockies

A second-round pick out of San Diego State in 2023, Carrigg teamed up with BFF Kyle Karros to power Spokane to a Northwest League title in 2024. The electric switch-hitter led the league in home runs (16) and triples (11) while setting a new High-A record for the Indians with 51 steals. Carrigg took his lumps at Double-A in 2025, but responded with an improved approach at the plate with Albuquerque this season to earn a call-up in June. He tripled for his first MLB hit on June 9th and quickly became a mainstay in Colorado's lineup, finishing the year with .279 average, 22 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 11 SB, and an .818 OPS in 93 games with the Rockies. Carrigg put an exclamation point on a strong rookie season with NL Rookie of the Month honors in September after hitting .327 with six home runs, 17 RBI, and a .911 OPS.

Sean Sullivan | June 12th | Colorado Rockies

Selected in the second round out of Wake Forest in 2023, Sullivan earned Northwest League Pitcher of the Year honors with Spokane in 2024 after posting a 7-2 record, 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 101 K/8 BB mark in 83.1 innings. The southpaw battled injuries the following season, but still put together a solid campaign with the Hartford Yard Goats (9-6, 3.14 ERA, 1.09 WHIP). Sullivan held his own in the hitter-friendly PCL this season and made his MLB debut with three scoreless innings against the Athletics on June 12^th. The 24-year-old made four more appearances with the Rockies, highlighted by a career-high 5.2 innings in his final start at the big league level on July 4^th.

Gabriel Hughes | July 3rd | Colorado Rockies

The 10^th overall selection out of Gonzaga University in 2022, Hughes dazzled with five no-hit innings in his Opening Night start for Spokane in 2023 and was promoted to Double-A by early June. The right-hander made just six starts with Hartford before going under the knife, and Hughes missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned to action with the Yard Goats in 2025 (3.07 ERA, 0.85 WHIP in 41 IP) and closed out that season at Triple-A with the Albuquerque Isotopes. Hughes returned to Albuquerque to start this season – with a brief two-game return to Spokane while he rehabbed an oblique injury – and made his MLB debut with a three-inning save against the San Francisco Giants on July 3^rd. The 25-year-old struck out seven of six innings of three-run ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first start on July 8^th and finished his first month in the majors with a 3.33 ERA over 24.1 innings.

Blake Adams | August 24th | Colorado Rockies

A 13^th-round pick out of Kansas State in 2022, Adams was challenged in his first taste of High-A with Spokane in 2023 (0-2, 6.10 ERA in 38.1 IP) but bounced back to become one of the team’s top pitchers the next season (7-3, 2.76 ERA in 101 IP). The right-hander spent all of 2025 with Hartford (6-7, 5.48 ERA in 90.1 IP) and returned to the Yard Goats to start this season before earning a May promotion to Triple-A. Adams made his lone appearance with the Rockies on August 24^th in Washington, tossing an inning of relief against the Nationals before returning to Albuquerque to close out the year.

ABOUT THE SPOKANE INDIANS

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane Valley, Wash. The Indians have played at Avista Stadium, home to the MultiCare Kids Bench Seat, since 1958 and have been a proud member of the Spokane community since 1903. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Office and Team Store are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.