Staying together
Isotopes, Rockies extend their deal through 2020
Purple continues to look good on the Albuquerque Isotopes.
That was the gist of Friday’s announcement that the ’Topes and Colorado Rockies have extended their player development contract through the 2020 season. After years of sporting blue as a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate, Albuquerque appears to have adapted nicely to Rockies purple.
Isotopes general manager John Traub and Rockies senior director of player development Zach Wilson were the picture of contentment Friday as they officially signed the PDC extension at Isotopes Park. The organizations’ initial four-year contract was scheduled to expire after the 2018 season.
“I guess we’ve renewed our vows,” Traub said after shaking hands with Wilson.
Traub called the decision to extend Albuquerque’s partnership with the parent Rockies a “no-brainer,” and Wilson said the parent Colorado organization agrees. Albuquerque’s relative proximity to Denver and the similarities between Colorado’s Coors Field and Isotopes Park have allowed the major league Rockies and TripleA ’Topes to mesh effectively.
Since the affiliation began in 2015, 43 players have come through Albuquerque on their way to the Rockies.
That includes three position players who started Thursday (Trevor Story, Tom Murphy and Raimel Tapia) and three pitchers currently in Colorado’s starting rotation (Kyle Freeland, Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez).
The Isotopes have unquestionably played a role in the Rockies’ strong (47-28 going into Friday) performance this season.
“A lot of guys have gone through here that are not just part of the big league club,” Traub said, “but are significant contributors. That’s exactly what you hope for from both sides of the partnership. It’s also great for our fans, because they’re seeing some really talented young prospects playing for the Isotopes.”
Third-year manager Glenallen Hill is in his 14th season with the Rockies organization. He’s found Albuquerque to be an ideal Triple-A affiliate.
“Anytime you have player development in a similar environment to where the major league club plays, that’s a big positive,” Hill said. “But working here in Albuquerque has been great. Just driving by the stadium when I leave at night and seeing this place with the lights on, it’s spectacular.
“It makes you want to honor it by working hard and trying to win every single game.”
Wilson said the organization been happy with the player development Albuquerque has provided. The Rockies also have been pleased to see growing fan support in the Duke City.
They hope the PDC extension combined with Colorado’s improvement and a steady stream of prospects coming through Albuquerque will lead to even more Isotopes fans sporting purple gear.
“As time has passed we have come to greatly appreciate not only the Isotopes front office and fans, but the city of Albuquerque as well,” Rockies GM Jeff Bridich said in a news release. “… We are thrilled to look toward our future seasons in Albuquerque as we hopefully strengthen our ties to the city and its Isotopes and Rockies fans.”