Luke Wortman | @Luke_W31 | March 31, 2024
The minor league season is upon us! For Rockies fans wanting to get a break from the team–a 16-1 opening day loss for example–or looking to check out future big leaguers, then the minor league system is for you. This article features reports and breakdowns for each player on the Albuquerque Isotopes roster, going in order from RHP, to LHP, C, INF, and then to OF, making it easier to skip some reports and view a certain group.
The Isotopes roster is exciting because many of these guys will impact the big league club this season. There weren’t too many surprises but dudes like Hunter Stovall, Dugan Darnell, and Braxton Fulford not making the roster certainly wasn’t expected. While most of the players on this roster have played with the Topes before, we do get to see some newcomers like Jordan Beck, Grant Lavigne, Greg Jones, and Thomas Ponticelli, among others. Attached with each player is a scouting report along with their stats from the previous season. I have also included my prospect rankings for some of the players when applicable.
Pitchers
Chance Adams – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 3.86 ERA 32.2 IP 5.8 K/9 2.8 BB/9
- Adams is a former 5th-round pick by the Yankees in 2015 with three seasons of big league experience. The 29-year-old joined the Rockies last season on a minor league contract and pitched to a stellar 3.86 ERA in 32 innings with the Topes. The Dallas Baptist alum pitched in some games this spring and put up a strong 2.70 ERA, but as a non roster invite, he was a longshot to make the Opening Day roster. While he may not draw as much hype as others, Adams has over 40 big league innings under his belt and if he pitches like last season; he could definitely provide some innings for the big league club.
- Adams features a mid-90s fastball (92-95) that gets the job done and a decent slider and changeup.
Matt Carasiti – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 3.41 ERA 29.0 IP 9.3 K/9 4.0 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 6.29 ERA 24.1 IP 5.9 K/9 4.1 BB/9
- Carasiti’s journey with the Rockies has been a fun one. Originally drafted by the Rox in the 6th round in 2012, Carasiti slowly climbed the MiLB ranks and made his big league debut in 2016. He bounced around a couple of other organizations and pitched with the Mariners a bit before coming back to Colorado on a minor league contract last season. He pitched great with the Topes and logged 24 solid innings with the Rox last season. Carasiti pitched great this spring, not allowing a run in 8 innings. He provides veteran leadership, having pitched in many organizations and in Japan, and is one of the most big league-ready arms on the team.
- Carasiti averages 95 on his fastball and has a cutter but his bread-making pitch is a deadly forkball. The uniqueness of the forkball makes Carasiti an interesting option to have around.
Jeff Criswell – RHP – 24th
2023 Stats (AAA): 7.51 ERA 121.0 IP 10.0 K/9 5.3 BB/9
- Acquired from the A’s after the 2022 season, it’s fair to say that Criswell’s first season in the Rockies organization disappointed. He ranks as one of the better pitching prospects in this system due to his plus stuff; Criswell has a great fastball and he pairs it with a solid slider. However, Criswell’s control was an issue last year that impedes his path to remaining a starting pitcher. He pitched much better to end the year so hopefully he can continue the momentum.
- Criswell’s big arm was on display in Spring Training, flashing mid-to-upper 90s velocity in the shorter outings, backing it up with a quality slider and changeup. He’s also got a curveball and sinker in the mix, giving him a deep starter’s arsenal.
John Curtiss – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 7.17 ERA 21.1 IP 8.9 K/9 4.2 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 4.58 ERA 19.2 IP 7.3 K/9 3.7 BB/9
- Curtiss was originally drafted by the Rockies out of high school in 2011, but he chose not to sign. It was a smart choice as he was drafted higher out of college and has pitched in over 100 big-league innings. He spent last season with the Mets where he got hit up at Triple-A but pitched well in almost 20 innings in the show. Given that he has some of the most big-league experience on the team, I’d expect him to get the call pretty early if the Rockies need to fill a spot in the arm barn.
- Curtiss has a mid-90s fastball and power slider that can get the job done at the big league level.
Noah Davis – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA, RK): 4.43 ERA 63.0 IP 7.3 K/9 5.0 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 8.70 ERA 30.0 IP 7.8 K/9 4.5 BB/9
- Davis got some quality big-league time last season with mixed results. Unfortunately, he did struggle with injuries throughout the year and consistently locating his pitches. The former 11th-round pick projects to be one of the starters on this year’s ‘Topes squad and will be one of the first guys called up when the Rockies need a starter.
- Davis is a pitching lab rat, always looking to find new pitch grips and ways to throw certain pitches better. Currently, he rocks a mid 90s sinker with good action on it, and will mix in a slider, curveball, and changeup, with both breaking balls serving as solid pitches.
Tanner Gordon – RHP – 42nd
2023 Stats (AA, AAA): 5.53 ERA 140.0 IP 8.4 K/9 2.6 BB/9
- Gordon came over to the Rockies last year along with Victor Vodnik in the Pierce Johnson trade. He had struggled with the Braves Triple-A affiliate but had a great 4.31 ERA with the Topes after the trade. His stuff isn’t overpowering by any means but he gets outs and throws strikes.
- Gordon gets extended to the plate well, allowing his low-90s fastballs to play up. His changeup, slider, and cutter all look like big league offerings, too.
Geoff Hartlieb – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 3.63 ERA 44.2 IP 9.3 K/9 3.6 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 2.25 ERA 4.0 IP 6.8 K/9 6.8 BB/9
- Hartlieb is another MLB veteran who has pitched 70 big-league innings. The former 29th-round pick by the Pirates made his debut in 2019, and has bounced between the show and Triple-A since then. He spent most of last season with the Marlins Triple-A affiliate putting up solid numbers. Hartlieb is a major piece to this Albuquerque bullpen and one who could help out with the big-league club too.
- Hartlieb averaged 95.6 mph on his 4-seam and has a quality slider.
Gavin Hollowell – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 3.47 ERA 23.1 IP 10.4 K/9 3.9 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 5.88 ERA 33.2 IP 8.6 K/9 4.8 BB/9
- Hollowell returned from an injury about halfway through last season and pitched great with the Isotopes, earning himself a big-league call-up. While he didn’t overpower hitters in the show, he did put up respectable numbers. It was a bit surprising Hollowell didn’t break camp with the club, but he did have a rough spring. His fastball gets up to 94 and he pairs it with a lower 80s slider from a funky arm slot. I’d expect him to get significant innings in the Topes bullpen and be in the mix for save opportunities.
Karl Kauffmann – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 6.43 ERA 92.1 IP 5.9 K/9 4.1 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 8.23 ERA 35.0 IP 4.1 K/9 4.1 BB/9
- The former 2nd rounder from the University of Michigan made his big league debut last season, albeit with poor results. His calling card is his durability and command, as he started 19 games with the Topes last season and another 3 with the Rox. He doesn’t throw very hard as his 4-seam tops out at 91-92 mph, but he does have a full arsenal of pitches. I expect that Kauffmann will start in the Topes rotation and will be a good bet to provide starter innings for the Rox this season.
Matt Koch – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 7.27 ERA 34.2 IP 8.8 K/9 2.9 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 5.12 ERA 38.2 IP 6.3 K/9 2.1 BB/9
- The 33-year-old Koch has bounced around the show and Triple-A since 2015, before signing on with Colorado before the season. He struggled with the ‘Topes but received a call-up to the Rockies where he pitched very well, logging 10 scoreless innings to start his Rockies tenure. Koch has a three-pitch mix but primarily throws his fastball and cutter with a slider also in the mix. The Rockies brought him back on a MiLB contract this offseason and I’d expect him to provide MLB innings at some point.
Riley Pint – RHP – 45th
2023 Stats (AAA): 6.12 ERA 57.1 IP 13.3 K/9 8.9 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 27.00 ERA 0.1 IP
- It’s been a whirlwind of a career so far for Pint, but he did make his big league debut last season. Even though he walked a batter per inning last season, Pint’s numbers weren’t too bad for the Pacific Coast League. While his command is not great, his stuff is. In terms of overpowering hitters, Pint has some of the best talent in the system. The command will need to improve for him to get significant big-league innings this season, but if it does he would provide a ton of value.
- Pint routinely hits 98 with his heater and has an upper-80s slider that could be a weapon with consistent command.
Thomas Ponticelli – RHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 4.64 ERA 64.0 IP 8.0 K/9 4.5 BB/9
- The 27-year-old Ponticelli was acquired by the Rox this offseason as a minor league Rule 5 pick. He spent all of last season at Triple-A, pitching to a 4.64 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 64 innings. He’s just a reliever at this point, but one that can pitch multiple innings as needed. Ponticelli was originally drafted in the 12th round out of the University of San Francisco in 2018.
- Ponticelli’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and he has a decent slider to match it, with a changeup mixed in about 10% of the time.
Kyle Wilcox – RHP
2023 Stats (AA, AAA): 2.62 ERA 55.0 IP 11.8 K/9 5.7 BB/9
- The 29-year-old Wilcox joined the system in the offseason after spending his MiLB career in the Mariners and Braves systems. The former 6th-round pick out of Bryant University reached Triple-A for the first time last season, putting up a solid 4.26 ERA in 12 innings. His career stats in the minors have been stellar although they have been limited a bit by injuries.
- Wilcox lives in the upper-90s, capable of touching 100 and he also throws an upper-80s cutter.
Ty Blach – LHP
2023 Stats (AAA): 4.40 ERA 30.2 IP 7.9 K/9 2.3 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 5.54 ERA 78.0 IP 5.8 K/9 2.8 BB/9
- Blach was a major help to the Rockies last season as he pitched in 20 games (13 starts) after most of the starting rotation went down with injuries. One of only two lefties on this roster, I’d expect Blach to start some games and make some extended relief appearances. His stuff certainly isn’t overpowering but he knows how to get outs as evidenced by his almost 450 career big league innings.
Evan Justice – LHP – 36th
2023 Stats (A+, AA, AAA): 3.49 ERA 38.2 IP 14.7 K/9 6.1 BB/9
2023 Stats (MLB): 8.59 ERA 7.1 IP 8.6 K/9 9.8 BB/9
- Justice had a whirlwind of a year last season as he started in High-A but reached MLB by the end of the season. This came after he had only previously thrown 3 career pro innings coming into 2023. The stuff is explosive here and belongs in a big-league pen, but his command needs to develop a bit first. Like the Isotopes roster, the Rockies have just one lefty in their current bullpen (Jalen Beeks) so Justice could be in line for significant big-league innings.
- Justice gets good extension to the plate with his mid-90s fastball and has a solid slider to back it up
Hitters
Hunter Goodman – C – 7th
2023 Stats (AA, AAA): .259 AVG .338 OBP .580 SLG 34 HR 0 SB 9.6 BB% 24.6 K%
2023 Stats (MLB): .200 AVG .247 OBP .386 SLG 1 HR 1 SB 6.5 BB% 31.2 K%
- Your Mom’s favorite player is back and ready to hit a lot of home runs. While he is pretty much big-league ready, being on the Topes roster allows him to develop his fielding and plate discipline more and hopefully build some momentum for his next big league stint. It’s pretty obvious his power is his calling card as he has been one of the best power hitters in the minors, hitting 70 bombs over the past two seasons. While he can play some catcher, he is more of a LF/1B type, though it seems the Rockies want to keep his catching skills sharp.
Willie MacIver – C
2023 Stats (AAA,RK): .272 AVG .416 OBP .416 SLG 3 HR 16 SB 15.9 BB% 27.9 K%
- Willie Mac’s 2023 season was dampened a bit by the injury bug, but he still put up solid numbers, flashing improved plate discipline though he didn’t hit for the power we expect. The former 9th-round pick out of the University of Washington missed about half of the season but was not overpowered by Triple-A pitching. His ceiling isn’t crazy high but he provides good defense, quality athleticism for a catcher, and has raw power. MacIver deserves a chance as an MLB backup but a solid Triple-A performance must come first.
Drew Romo – C – 10th
2023 Stats (AA,AAA): .259 AVG .317 OBP .445 SLG 13 HR 6 SB 7.5 BB% 18.4 K%
- BSB’s 8th-ranked prospect in the system is slated to be the starting catcher for the Topes after a solid campaign at Hartford. Romo spent primarily the whole season with the Yard Goats with the exception of a 4 game stint at Albuquerque to end the year. Romo is a legitimate 5-tool guy who can impact the game in many ways. The switch-hitter’s weakest trait is his pop, but he was still able to get to 13 home runs at pitcher-friendly Hartford. He provides a ton of value with his great defense behind the plate, flashing a cannon of an arm. He’s only 22, but I’d expect that he will contribute to the big league club at some point this season.
Julio Carreras – INF – 34th
2023 Stats (AA,AAA): .238 AVG .325 OBP .340 SLG 6 HR 14 SB 10.3 BB% 22.8 K%
- The 24-year-old Carreras is looking to build off a strong Dominican winter league campaign, one that saw him hit .304 with 3 home runs. Carreras can play all around the infield but his impact is limited by his bat. The major thing to watch is for his hit tool/plate discipline to improve. If they can, Carreras could be a solid utility guy for the Rox.
Connor Kaiser – INF
2023 Stats (AAA): .238 AVG .353 OBP .404 SLG 9 HR 16 SB 14.3 BB% 26.4 K%
2023 Stats (MLB): 3 G 4 PA .000 AVG
- The former 3rd-rounder by the Pirates was a nifty minor league signing for the Rox before last season, as he played well for the Topes and even made his big league debut in a pinch. Like Carreras, he doesn’t have the strongest bat, but it is good enough to get some look. The defense and speed are both plus tools here and make him a logical next man up if there are a couple injuries in the middle infield.
Grant Lavigne – INF – 62nd
2023 Stats (AA): .227 AVG .350 OBP .398 SLG 17 HR 4 SB 14.4 BB% 26.6 K%
- The former 1st-rounder in 2018 is finally at the big league doorstep. The calling card here is Lavigne’s plus raw pop, which allowed him to hit 17 homers last season at Hartford, and plate discipline. While he will never be a good contact hitter, Lavigne’s patient approach allows him to draw plenty of walks. Lavigne’s raw power and Albuquerque’s elevation go really well together and might finally fuel a breakout.
Coco Montes – INF
2023 Stats (AAA): .317 AVG .400 OBP .550 SLG 22 HR 11 SB 11.6 BB% 25.6 K%
2023 Stats (MLB): .184 AVG .244 OBP .316 SLG 1 HR 0 SB 4.9 BB% 29.3 K%
- Coco parlayed a great season at Albuquerque into an 18-game cup of coffee with the Rockies, one that saw him hit a homer in his big league debut. It’s pretty clear by now that Coco can hit at the Triple-A level, but the question is whether his plate discipline can improve enough to be a big-league mainstay. He’s solid defensively across the diamond though his bat is what keeps him a viable contributor.
Aaron Schunk – INF – 43rd
2023 Stats (AAA): .290 AVG .350 OBP .461 SLG 14 HR 12 SB 8.7 BB% 24.0 K%
- Schunk is back with the Isotopes after a strong season that saw him hit .290 with 14 homers. The former 2nd-rounder out of Georgia is primarily a 3B with some 2B experience, but it seems that he will get some time at shortstop as well. There’s some refining that needs to happen but Schunk has all the tools to be a successful big leaguer and clearly the Rockies want to expand his tool box.
Greg Jones – INF/OF – 27th
2023 Stats (AA, AAA): .244 AVG .318 OBP .432 SLG 10 HR 24 SB 8.5 BB% 38.8 K%
- Jones recently came over to the Rockies in the Joe Rock trade, covered at length here. The former first-rounder out of UNC-Wilmington has arguably the highest ceiling out of anyone on this team, but also has some glaring weaknesses. Jones ran a strikeout rate of almost 40% which inhibits any stable success. He hit well once he reached Tampa’s Triple-A affiliate last season so the hope is that he can continue the momentum. Jones is a premium athlete with huge power so if the strikeout rate can come back to Earth, the ingredients are here for a solid MLB utility player.
Jordan Beck – OF – 3rd
2023 Stats (AA, AAA): .271 AVG .364 OBP .503 SLG 25 HR 20 SB 13.0 BB% 25.2 K%
- Beck is one of the top 100 prospects in baseball and most analysts have him as a top-3 prospect in the Rockies system. The 1st-rounder out of Tennessee has demolished the minors since entering the system in 2022. Beck has the chance to be a 5-tool player if everything comes together. His power is going to play well at Albuquerque, and if he can show improved plate discipline, he could be in Denver quickly. Beck will get some run in center field but he’s likely going to be in left or right field most days.
Sean Bouchard – OF
2023 Stats (AAA, A+, RK): .243 AVG .398 OBP .378 SLG 2 HR 5 SB 18.3 BB% 20.4 K%
2023 Stats (MLB): .316 AVG .372 OBP .684 SLG 4 HR 0 SB 9.3 BB% 32.6 K%
- After a great rookie campaign that saw him hit .297 with 3 home runs, Bouchard missed most of the season due to injury, but hit well with the Rockies upon returning. The UCLA product can play the corner outfield spots along with first base, giving him some solid positional versatility. Like many on the roster, Bouchard’s power is above average. I was pretty surprised that he didn’t make the big league team to start the season (Toglia did instead), so I would expect him to get called up quickly if he performs.
Jimmy Herron – OF – 49th
2023 Stats (AAA): .296 AVG .395 OBP .498 SLG 19 HR 33 SB 12.8 BB% 19.1 K%
- The former 3rd rounder out of Duke had a great 2023 campaign, hitting .296 with 19 homers. It was his first pro season where Herron had been fully healthy. Herron can impact the game in many ways and play all three spots in the outfield. The big thing to look for here is for Herron to consistently make good contact, otherwise, he is a very complete player.
Sam Hilliard – OF
2023 Stats (MLB): .236 AVG .295 OBP .431 SLG 3 HR 4 SB 7.7 BB% 42.3 K%
- The fan-favorite Hilliard is back after spending almost the majority of last season with the Braves. The 30-year-old had previously spent all of his career with the Rockies before 2023. The Wichita State alum is arguably one of the greatest players in Isotopes history, as he played there in 2019, 2021, and 2022, totalling 62 home runs. He provides a veteran presence among a young position player group and could provide some pop for the Rockies if he gets called up.
This Isotopes roster has lacked significant prospect presence since guys like Brendan Rodgers, David Dahl, and Ryan McMahon came through town, but this year is set to change that. Jordan Beck and Drew Romo are among the organization’s top prospects and guys like Greg Jones, Julio Carreras, Hunter Goodman, Aaron Schunk, Evan Justice, and Tanner Gordon are all legit prospects as well, poised to make an appearance in the big leagues this year.
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