Isotopes Release 2024 Opening Day Roster
The Albuquerque Isotopes, in junction with the Colorado Rockies, have announced their 2024 Opening Day roster, a club that features a record-setting 21 returning players. Second-year manager Pedro Lopez also welcomes seven new players to Albuquerque. The returnees are headlined by fan favorite outfielder Sam Hilliard, who played in 216
The Albuquerque Isotopes, in junction with the Colorado Rockies, have announced their 2024 Opening Day roster, a club that features a record-setting 21 returning players.
Second-year manager Pedro Lopez also welcomes seven new players to Albuquerque.
The returnees are headlined by fan favorite outfielder Sam Hilliard, who played in 216 games for the club between 2019-22. Hilliard’s 62 home runs in an Isotopes uniform rank second in club history, four away from tying Jordan Patterson’s mark set from 2016-18.
Sean Bouchard, Jimmy Herron and Coco Montes will all open the campaign in Albuquerque after being key contributors in the team’s lineup over the past two seasons. Third baseman Aaron Schunk is also back to start his second year in Triple-A after batting .290 with 14 homers and 77 RBI in 2023.
Outfielder Jordan Beck enters the season as Colorado’s fourth-best prospect, according to MLB.com. He has skyrocketed through the Rockies farm system since being selected with the 38th overall pick of the 2022 Draft. Additionally, Beck was named Colorado’s Spring Training MVP this year after slashing .370/.433/.519 in 18 contests.
After a remarkable two-week stint with the Isotopes last year, Hunter Goodman will open 2024 in Triple-A. Goodman bashed nine long balls to go along with 33 RBI in just 15 contests for Albuquerque, before having his contract purchased and making a positive impact in the Rockies lineup last September.
Grant Lavigne, a 2018 first-round draft pick by the Rockies, is poised to garner a share of the first base duties. Lavigne and Beck are the only members of the Opening Day roster who will be making their Triple-A debuts.
Greg Jones, acquired from Tampa Bay near the end of Spring Training, will split time between shortstop and multiple outfield positions.
Catching duties are expected to be split between Willie MacIver, Drew Romo and Goodman. MacIver was Albuquerque’s primary backstop after joining the team in the second half last season, while Romo was promoted from Double-A Hartford for the final series of 2023 and delivered multiple clutch hits.
Noah Davis and Tanner Gordon are set to anchor the Isotopes rotation, after a strong finish to the 2023 season. Karl Kauffmann and Jeff Criswell each return as well.
Lopez and pitching coach Chris Michalak will have several options to rely on in late innings of contests - including Matt Carasiti, Evan Justice, Gavin Hollowell and Riley Pint - all who saw action with the Rockies last season. Justice entered 2023 with just three professional innings under his belt before bursting onto the scene with 63 strikeouts in 38.2 frames across three levels, then made his Major League debut in September.
Ty Blach and Matt Koch will share the role of elder statesmen at the outset, as both are 33-years-old. Each split last year between the Isotopes and Rockies. Blach is beginning his 11th professional season in his third organization, while Koch is starting his 13th campaign, spanning five MLB organizations and a stint in Japan.
Veteran right-handers John Curtiss and Geoff Hartlieb both join Albuquerque’s pitching staff for the first time after signing with the Rockies this offseason. Curtiss was a key member of the Rays bullpen during their 2020 American League pennant-winning season, and has registered the most MLB service time on the Isotopes initial roster (three years and 137 days).
The Opening Day roster features 16 players who have seen time in the Major Leagues: Blach, Carasiti, Curtiss, Davis, Hartlieb, Hollowell, Justice, Kauffmann, Koch, Pint, Goodman, Montes, Bouchard, and Hilliard, as well as pitcher Chance Adams and infielder Connor Kaiser.
The 2024 campaign is slated to get underway tomorrow night with a 6:35 MST first pitch against El Paso, as the Isotopes begin a season at home for the first time since 2021.
RHP: Chance Adams, Matt Carasiti, Jeff Criswell, John Curtiss, Noah Davis, Tanner Gordon, Geoff Hartlieb, Gavin Hollowell, Karl Kauffmann, Matt Koch, Riley Pint, Thomas Ponticelli, Kyle Wilcox
LHP: Ty Blach, Evan Justice
Catchers: Willie MacIver, Drew Romo, Hunter Goodman
Infielders: Julio Carreras, Greg Jones, Connor Kaiser, Grant Lavigne, Coco Montes, Aaron Schunk
Outfielders: Jordan Beck, Sean Bouchard, Jimmy Herron, Sam Hilliard
Asian American Pacific Islander Night Food Specials
The Albuquerque Isotopes will serve six specialty food items for the club's Asian American Pacific Islander Night this Thursday: - Sushi Hot Dog (available at Yakisoba Noodles near section 119) - Vegetarian Rice Bowl (available at Yakisoba Noodles near section 119) - Yakisoba Noodle Bowl (available at Yakisoba Noodles near
Isotopes Introduce Closed Captioning for Public Address Announcements
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced the implementation of closed captioning of in-house announcements made by the Public Address Announcer and emcee during Isotopes games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. Fans are invited to visit a free website wherein announcements will be posted onto the users’ smartphone
ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE START TIMES FOR 2024 HOME SCHEDULE
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced game times for all 75 home contests for the 2024 season, including 11 day contests, six Sunday matinee games and all holiday contests. - Home Opener on Friday, March 29 vs. El Paso is set for 6:35 pm - 11 day games, including seven on
ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE NEW OWNER DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced its new ownership partner Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select Minor League clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB). The Isotopes will remain in Albuquerque as the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies under the leadership of
SAVANNAH BANANAS 2024 WORLD TOUR COMING TO ALBUQUERQUE
The Savannah Bananas are bringing their “World Famous Baseball Circus” to RGCU Field at Isotopes Park on April 20-21, 2024. Affectionately referred to as “The Greatest Show in Sports” by ESPN with an atmosphere that would “make most Major League Baseball teams jealous,” according to Sports Illustrated, the Bananas have
Coco Montes Named to PCL Post-Season All-Star Team
Albuquerque Isotopes infielder Coco Montes has been named to the Pacific Coast League’s Post-Season All-Star team as the utility player, it was announced today by Major League Baseball. The Miami native adds one more accolade to his recent flurry, as he was voted by his Isotopes teammates as Most Valuable
PCL ATTENDANCE LEADERS, RECORD-SETTING ON-FIELD PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT 2023 CAMPAIGN
The Albuquerque Isotopes completed their 20th season of play Sunday, a campaign that saw several historical achievements. For the first time ever, RGCU Field at Isotopes Park welcomed the highest cumulative total of fans in the Pacific Coast League, as 521,521 customers walked through the turnstiles in 2023. The cumulative
ISOTOPES ANNOUNCE 2023 PLAYER AWARD WINNERS
The Albuquerque Isotopes today announced their annual end-of-season player awards in an on-field ceremony prior to Saturday's contest. Infielder Coco Montes was chosen by his teammates as the club’s Most Valuable Player after slashing .318/.402/.555 with 22 homers, 26 doubles, five triples, 59 walks and 89 RBI in 106 games.
Isotopes Secure PCL Attendance Crown, Rally Late For 6-4 Triumph
Albuquerque, NM – The cardiac Isotopes came up with one more rally Saturday evening, continuing to play well in the final stages of this campaign. Albuquerque overcame a 3-1 deficit by plating two runs in the sixth, then three more in the seventh, surging past Oklahoma City in the season’s
ISOTOPES UNVEIL 2024 HOME SCHEDULE
The Albuquerque Isotopes unveiled their 2024 home season schedule today that features the earliest regular season Home Opener in franchise history. “With this season wrapping up, we are thrilled for our 2024 home schedule and we’ve already started planning all the exciting events taking place throughout next season,” Isotopes General
Isotopes Win 2023 Season Finale, 2-1
Albuquerque, NM – The Isotopes finished the 2023 campaign with a 2-1 triumph over the Oklahoma City Dodgers after Jameson Hannah plated the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on an RBI single to left and complete the come-from-behind victory and earn a series split Sunday afternoon at RGCU Field
Gordon Twirls Masterpiece as Isotopes Blank Dodgers, 7-0
Albuquerque, NM – It was a night to remember for the newcomers Friday. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon finished his campaign with a sterling seven-inning performance in which he allowed just three hits without permitting a run. Julio Carreras and Braxton Fulford, both recently up from Double-A Hartford, each homered with
Montaño, Morales, Bullpen Lead Albuquerque to 6-4 Victory
El Paso, TX – A mix of early offense and clutch pitching late was enough to keep the Albuquerque Isotopes in the playoff hunt on Saturday. Daniel Montaño highlighted a three-run opening frame with a two-run double, Jonathan Morales later added a two-run clout, while the bullpen worked four scoreless
Herron's Ninth-Inning Blast Gives Isotopes Wild 9-8 Victory
El Paso, TX – After a seemingly comfortable five-run lead evaporated and created a tense contest, Jimmy Herron once again had an answer. The Isotopes do-it-all star crushed a go-ahead home run to start the ninth inning, and the blast held up for the decisive margin in Albuquerque’s 9-8 victory
Isotopes Claim 4-2 Triumph Over El Paso
El Paso, TX – Isotopes starter Noah Davis twirled 7.0 innings and allowed just two runs while Daniel Montaño drove in two more tallies to continue his hot streak and Tommy Doyle claimed his sixth save of the season to propel Albuquerque to a 4-2 victory Wednesday afternoon at Southwest
Albuquerque Holds On For 6-3 Triumph
El Paso, TX – Ryan Feltner spun 4.2 frames of one run ball on a Major League rehab assignment while the offense plated two runs in three frames, including a two-run dinger from Coco Montes in the eighth, and the bullpen held off a late rally by El Paso to
Maciver, Quinn Lift Isotopes Over River Cats in Extras, 8-5
Sacramento, CA – After a pair of demoralizing defeats, the Isotopes flipped the script Sunday afternoon to keep their playoff hopes afloat. Willie MacIver and Roman Quinn keyed a four-run tenth inning with RBI singles, and Albuquerque defeated Sacramento 8-5 to conclude a 12-game road trip with a record of