Prospect Tapia has been hot for Isotopes
Center fielder boasts .387 average and has a 14-game hitting streak working
After foul balls, Raimel Tapia brings his bat — nicknamed “50” — to his nose and takes in the aroma of burnt wood.
“Yeah, I smell the bat,” said the 23-year-old Colorado Rockies center field prospect and star leadoff hitter for the Albuquerque Isotopes.
“I don’t know why I do that, but I’m going to do that the rest of my life. It’s working for me.”
With as hot as his bat has been this season for the ’Topes, the aroma of burning wood is commonplace for Tapia. And it has nothing to do with foul balls. The 23-year-old native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic is hitting .387 with a 14-game hitting streak and 23 game streak of reaching base.
Monday night, behind his 2-for-4 showing at the plate with a pair of doubles and two runs scored, the Isotopes beat the visiting Las Vegas 51s 8-4 in front of an announced crowd of 7,331.
So far, the only thing slowing Tapia from a regu-
lar spot on a big league roster seems to be the abundance of riches the Rockies have in their outfield.
“When an opportunity arises, he’ll be ready because he’s very prepared,” says ‘Topes hitting coach Darin Everson, who also managed Tapia for his 104 games in 2016 at Double-A Hartford.
Tapia entered the season as the Rockies’ No. 4 prospect, according to Baseball America. In addition to the .387 average, Tapia is playing a solid center field and has added from his leadoff spot in the lineup 14 doubles, 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases.
And just to prove the old adage of when you’re hot, you’re hot, he’s even reaching base when he hits it right at the opposing team. His seventh inning liner on Monday night was a double through — yes, through — the glove of 51s first baseman Dominic Smith, who had to replace his broken glove after the sharply hit liner rolled down the right field line.
Everson said Tapia, who had 22 games with the Rockies last year and two earlier this season, is working on consistency and getting used to the daily grind of professional baseball as opposed to focusing on any specific improvements that the parent club needs to see before being confident in his ability to play there.
Patience, thus far, has not been a problem.
“I feel happy because the Rockies are winning right now and I’m a Rockies guy,” Tapia said through translator Michael Ramirez, the ‘Topes bullpen catcher. “I’ll continue to work hard here, doing my work. Whenever they call me for my opportunity, I’ll take it.” And he won’t go alone. Tapia will take “50”, the bat he frequently talks to during games.
“Let’s go. Let’s go. Don’t miss,” he said he tells the bat, which he named after the nickname he was once given back in the Dominican Republic.
The bat has listened well this season, especially with two strikes, says Everson.
“He does a great job with two strikes,” Everson said. “He gets into a position where his body can be controlled and allows his great hands to work. Usually about half of your at-bats are with two strikes in a season. …
“He’s doing everything we need right now. He’s coming to the yard ready to play and play hard.”