Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA – Pacific Coast League)
Formerly the Calgary Cannons before their relocation in 2003, the Albuquerque franchise name is a homage to The Simpsons, referencing the fictional Springfield Isotopes’ botched move to Albuquerque. The name was both a popular suggestion by local residents and a marketing asset that paid quick dividends for the team, which in three months beat all single-season merchandise sales figures generated by the Albuquerque Dukes, a predecessor which became the Portland Beavers in 2001. Isotopes Park opened in time for the new franchise’s inaugural season in 2003 and has been widely regarded as a gem of the minor leagues, helping the team set attendance records in both of the last two seasons. With a number of entertaining promotional nights such as June 6th’s return of Beatlemania and tickets starting at $9, Isotope Park is sure to once again be a very popular destination for diehard fans, families, and casual tourists alike.
Albuquerque ranks as the 34th-largest city in the United States and the 59th largest metropolitan area, as well as the largest in New Mexico. Isotopes Park is located in the southeastern region of Albuquerque, which is also home to a small Air Force base and Sandia National Laboratories, a major research and development site for the production and testing of the non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons. Visitors to the city might enjoy exploring the historic Old Town, or the Albuquerque BioPark and Aquarium.
After six years of affiliation with the Florida Marlins, the Isotopes begin their first year in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009. The fit is a natural one, as the Dukes’ final 29 years in Albuquerque were also spent as the Dodgers’ AAA affiliate. With the return of the Dodgers as a parent club, the Isotopes will have several notable players playing their home games in Albuquerque this season.
Though Spring Training is still in progress, we can make an educated guess at which future Major Leaguers will begin the season in Albuquerque based on how roster battles in Major League camp are shaking out so far.
The Isotopes are likely to feature a pair of talented young infielders in Tony Abreu and Blake DeWitt. Abreu, 24, hit .271 during a brief 2007 trial with Los Angeles as a 22-year-old before missing all of 2008 with a strained groin followed by surgery on his right hip. Baseball America ranked him as the team’s #5 prospect in 2006, and could still develop into a contact-hitting second baseman with solid defense, good enough to start for many MLB teams. A career as a very strong offense-first utility man is also possible, should he stick with Los Angeles, which typically features a strong infield.
DeWitt, 23, impressed Dodgers officials with his rookie season in 2008, during which he hit .264 and flashed great defense at both second and third base after a rash of injuries forced the youngster into a starting role for Los Angeles after just 72 career games in AA and AAA combined. DeWitt lost a probable starting job when the team signed star second baseman Orlando Hudson, and would likely prefer that he get plenty of playing time with the Isotopes than serve in a limited role as a backup with the Dodgers. A former first-round draft pick, he was ranked the Dodgers #5 prospect last year, and has significant power potential that he has yet to realize. The two will likely split time between second and third at Albuquerque this season to increase their versatility.
Lefty Eric Stults and righty James McDonald are two of the last men standing in the competition for the Dodgers’ 5th starter role, though both will likely be needed in Los Angeles throughout the season. McDonald, 24, ranks as the Dodgers’ #2 prospect after an impressive season that began with strikeout after strikeout for AA Jacksonville and ended with him thrust into a vital relief role in the National League Championship Series. Though he has the chance to be a dependable mid-rotation starter, he would do just as well in a late-inning relief role, using strong offspeed pitches and command to compensate for a fastball that lacks elite velocity.
Stults, 29, is a little old for a typical prospect, but he can contribute as a 5th starter or long reliever at the MLB level. After years of toiling in the Dodgers’ system and a couple unsuccessful big league trials, Stults posted a 3.49 ERA with strong walk and strikeout numbers in seven spot starts last season. Should injuries strike, expect to see Stults called up to the show without hesitation.
Outfielder Xavier Paul (24) is ready to be a solid platoon outfielder in the big leagues after batting .316 in AAA last season with moderate power, but the resigning of slugger Manny Ramirez cost Paul a chance at a roster spot. Paul will once again start regularly and see time at all three outfield positions. The Isotopes are also likely to feature three pitchers who have struggled to varying degrees with injuries and command over the past several seasons, yet retain some promise in lefties Scott Elbert (23) and Greg Miller (24) and righty Justin Orenduff (25). While Elbert may still be used as a starting pitcher, both Miller and Orenduff are near certain to be used in short relief when healthy.
Finally, defensive wizard Chin-Lung Hu may return to Albuquerque for at least a partial season as well. Hu, 24, exploded for 54 base hits and a .325 average in between AA and AAA in 2007 after a mostly uninspiring offensive track record. However, his performance fell in AAA last season, and he hit just .181 in 116 MLB at bats. Hu is already a Major Leaguer by defensive standards; it’s whether his bat looks closer to 2007 or his other seasons that will determine whether Hu is an All-Star or simply a defensive wonder who needs to be hid at the bottom of a lineup. He will earn a pile of playing time as Albuquerque’s starting shortstop in 2009.
To learn more about the Albuquerque Isotopes and/or purchase tickets, visit their website at www.albuquerquebaseball.com.
Ryan Swanzey is an undergraduate student at Elon University majoring in Leisure/Sport Management and Computer Information Systems. His experience in baseball includes managing gameday operations with the Burlington Royals, Appalachian League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, as well as serving as a Baseball Information intern for USA Baseball. He aspires to a career in player development and baseball operations for a Major League franchise. He is also the sole author of his personal blog, Swanz’s Sandlot, which can be found at http://rswanzey.blogspot.com.
