No place like home, wherever that is
Denver/Duke City shuttle commonplace for some Isotopes
Don’t bother telling Jeff Hoffman that baseball has it’s ups and downs.
He knows the drill all too well.
While enduring the inevitable highs and lows of professional baseball seasons, Hoffman also has become adept at shuttling between the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes and their parent club, the Colorado Rockies. He’s the organization’s unofficial king of ups and downs.
Since making his Isotopes debut in 2016, Hoffman has been called up by the Rockies 11 times. The 26-year-old right-handed pitcher started Wednesday night’s game at Isotopes Park, so it follows he’s also been optioned back to Albuquerque 11 times.
“Man, I’ve stopped keeping track,” Hoffman said prior to Albuquerque’s 9-8, 10-inning win over visiting San Antonio on Thursday. “After 2017 (five callups) it all became kind of a blur.”
Hoffman is believed to be the Isotopes’ career leader in ups and downs between Triple A and the majors, at least since the franchise has been affiliated with Colorado. His lead is not safe, however, as current ’Topes teammates Pat Valaika and Yency Almonte have been to Denver and back eight times apiece over the past three seasons. Valaika, like Hoffman, said he’s lost count. “It’s challenging but it’s part of the job,” Valaika said. “You can complain about it or you can keep your head down and play. You get to see a lot of the country at least.”
Valaika’s shuttle rides have been especially scenic. Either the Rockies or Isotopes (or both) have been on the road every time he’s been promoted or optioned.
Hoffman’s been a bit more fortunate, taking several relatively short flights between Albuquerque and Denver. But on July 21 Hoffman and Sam Howard were recalled by the Rockies and boarded a flight for New York before sunrise. They landed at 7:30 a.m. and headed immediately for Yankee Stadium.
“Your head definitely spins at times,” Hoffman said. “I’ve gone up for a doubleheader, made a start and the next day headed back. It’s a little disorienting.”
There are logistical considerations, too. Both Hoffman and Valaika have maintained apartments in Denver and Albuquerque at times but each is now down to one. Hoffman now stays at the Isotopes’ team hotel when in Albuquerque, while Valaika uses team accommodations when in Denver.
“After a while dealing with two separate leases doesn’t make much sense,” Valaika said.
As one might imagine, players prefer to avoid making too many trips between Triple A and the majors. Getting to the big leagues and staying there is always a primary goal.
But limiting organizational ups and downs is often tied to a steady stat line. Hoffman and Valaika have been hot and cold in 2019.
Hoffman is 6-6 with the Isotopes in 14 starts with a 7.91 earned-run average. Like so many Triple-A pitchers, he’s been victimized by the long ball, allowing 16 homers, though Hoffman has struck out 84 batters in 71 innings.
With the Rockies he’s 1-3 with a 6.57 ERA in eight starts but Hoffman has been more effective of late, allowing a total of five runs in his last three starts.
“I feel healthier and I’m throwing the ball better,” Hoffman said. “I’ll just keep attacking my weaknesses and try to be ready. I’d like to have that 12th call-up happen.”
Valaika, meanwhile, has had an outstanding season with the Isotopes. He came into Wednesday’s game hitting .319 with 20 homers and 60 RBIs in 65 games. Valaika has made the most of regular playing time, to the point he earned a spot on the PCL All-Star team.
Ironically, Valaika did not play in the All-Star contest because he was with the Rockies at the time. His playing time was sporadic with Colorado and Valaika struggled, going 6-for-47 (.128) in 26 games.
Still, Valaika hopes to continue his torrid hitting in Albuquerque and earn another return to Denver this season.
“I’ll make the trip,” Valaika said. “I haven’t forgotten what city I’m in yet, but I honestly don’t know what day of the week it is half the time. I just go where they tell me, show up to play, keep pluggin’ along.”