After setting NCAA metal bat home run record, Charlie Condon is poised to lay waste to pro pitching

Isaac Stevens | March 15, 2025

We’re a day away from the Rockies Spring Breakout game–a prospect-exclusive game set to feature each organization’s top prospects–and that means our Top 40 is wrapping up. Today we bring out the big guns and look at NCAA home run record holder and Georgia native Charlie Condon.

#2 – OF/3B Charlie Condon

In the 2024 MLB Draft, many believed that Georgia slugger Charlie Condon was going first overall. So when he fell to third, the Rockies were quick to select him. Condon signed for $9.25 million which is the largest bonus in MLB Draft history.

During Condon’s recruiting process he was never a well known prospect, being Perfect Game’s 400th ranked high school player in 2021. Without an offer that suited his needs, Condon walked on at nearby University of Georgia which was less than two hours from his hometown Marietta, an Atlanta suburb.

Condon redshirted his freshman year as he needed to fully prove himself to the coaching staff. So after showing out in summer ball, Georgia gave him an opportunity his redshirt-freshman year, batting .386 with 25 home runs, pacing the team in most offensive categories.

Then, Condon took a significant step forward his second year as a starter, owning an absurd .433 AVG with a BBCOR-era record 37 home runs. His otherworldly performances led him to win the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy. In only two seasons at Georgia across 116 games, Condon hit 62 home runs (162 game pace of ~87 home runs). No player in Georgia Baseball history has had more of a game to game impact as Condon, and the Rockies are hoping that they’ll get the same treatment as soon as possible.

After being drafted by the Rockies, expectations for Condon were through the roof amongst the Rockies and their fans. They aggressively assigned him to High-A, and in his second professional game he hit a home run. However after that, it was a hard introduction to pro ball for Condon, finishing the season batting .180, and performing well below expectations.

Condon was faced with using only a wood bat, going against better pitchers, and seeing polished breaking balls every at bat for the first time, as opposed to only college competition, it wasn’t a fair shot for Condon.

Still, this seemed like an unusual drop off and things made more sense when Rockies GM announced Condon was playing with a bruised thumb the entire time as well, making each at bat uncomfortable. Everything that happened in his small sample with Spokane should be taken with a grain of salt, and all judgement should begin when Condon takes the field in 2025.

What makes Condon most intriguing is his large stature and massive power to match. Though not quite as physically developed, Condon’s build is similar to Aaron Judge and his power production in 2024 was reminiscent of Judge.

Condon stood out at Georgia with his ability to make contact during most swings while also swinging for power. Condon showed an average approach, drawing his share of walks, though he’s not likely to walk at a very high rate in the pros.

With Condon’s mile high power, any hot stint down in the minors can play a big part in getting Condon to the bigs. He will likely start the season with High-A Spokane, and after he tears up High-A he will have quick call ups to each league following. Charlie Condon may be the most intriguing position player prospect since Todd Helton.

Unfortunately, we will likely have to wait some time for Condon’s 2025 debut after it was announced he injured his wrist diving for a flyball. The extent of the injury is not known but any substantial wrist injury poses huge obstacles for finding comfort in the swing during a season.

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