Karros vs. Karros, and it's all caught on dad's video

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A Sunday afternoon full of photo ops and family moments was almost over when Rockies prospect Kyle Karros realized it was just another baseball game. And another opportunity for him to be surreptitiously videotaped by his father.

• Greatest father-son duos in MLB history

There was a special moment at home plate before the Spring Training game at Camelback Ranch. The Rockies and Dodgers arranged for Karros, 21, a fifth-round Draft pick last summer, to exchange the lineup with his father, Eric Karros -- a former Dodgers star who is in camp with the team as a special instructor and who sat in the home dugout Sunday.

Kyle Karros’ first at-bat in the Rockies’ 7-4 loss was a seventh-inning strikeout against Gus Varland.

“My mind was spinning," he said.

But the second at-bat, in the ninth against veteran Dinelson Lamet, was like old times.

“Growing up, in travel-ball tournaments, he would always take out his phone and tape my at-bats,” Kyle Karros said. “Then he would go over them with me. He always thought I wouldn’t notice, but I always did.”

Then Kyle imitated what he saw when he peeked to the dugout.

“He had it up against the railing, like he was leaning against the railing,” Karros said. “It’s not discreet at all, but he thinks it is. It just took me back. It made me feel like I was just in another batter's box somewhere growing up.”

And as often happened as he grew through the youth ranks and as a prospect at UCLA, where Eric also played, Kyle Karros singled between shortstop and third base.

“I thought I was doing 8-year-old baseball,” Eric Karros said. “I’m down there videoing in the dugout and everything. So I’m going to get a fine tomorrow.

“I’ve got two boys. I’ve got another one [Jared Karros] here that’s pitching in the Dodger organization. Just watching both of them get the opportunities and the way that they’ve progressed, I’m proud of them.”

The day, especially the lineup exchange, involved some quick arranging between the clubs.

Rockies prospects have just gathered for Minor League camp. Karros took his physical Saturday. Rosters for Minor League games usually are opportunities for Minor Leaguers to play the final innings on the big stage. So Chris Forbes, the Rockies’ player development director, invited Karros to join the Rockies against the Dodgers. Kyle is too young to remember his dad in Dodger blue, but he tagged along when dad -- a television commentator on Dodgers games -- came down for guest coaching.

“He wanted to let me know so I could give any family members a heads up, if they want to fly out,” Kyle said. “Little did he know my dad was already out here. He comes down for a week every Spring Training.”

“I told ‘Forbsie,’ you have no idea. He’s going to be in the other dugout.’”

An excited Kyle called dad, who happened to be in conversation with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts … who then called Rockies manager Bud Black to pitch the lineup idea.

“Isn’t that great?” Black said.

The two had the pregame moment. After the game, Karros shook Black’s hand, then his son met him -- not far from where his hit went. They walked to the outfield warning track and hugged to celebrate not just the moment, but the start of Kyle’s pro journey.

It might grow into a rivalry.

“I was actually having dreams last night of, like, hitting a walk-off homer and giving him one of these,” he said, brushing his hand across the “Colorado” on the front of his purple jersey. “I grew up a Dodger, but my path is headed in a different direction.”

And Dad will have the video to prove it.