2015 Season In Review: Albuquerque Isotopes

Sep 2, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pinch hitter C. Adames (18) hits a single during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Albuquerque Isotopes: Offense

The good: Hunt, Cristhian Adames, HUNT!! The shortstop/middle infielder in waiting made the All-Pacific Coast League team after slashing .311/.362/.438 over 463 at-bats, with 20 doubles, three triples, and eleven home runs. He predominantly played shortstop, but also saw time at third base and second base, so it’s fun to think about him as a possible floater as a utility middle infielder in the Major Leagues next year.

The bad: What the hell happened to Charlie Culberson? The same Charlie Culberson who spent all of 2014 on the Colorado Rockies’ active roster (despite doing, well, absolutely nothing) appeared in exactly zero Major League games in 2015 and appeared in only five games with the Isotopes. He went 4-for-20 in those five games and then promptly disappeared to disabled list purgatory. I’ve gotta believe he’s likely done with the Colorado Rockies.

[ Related: Cristhian Adames should start for the Colorado Rockies ]

Noteworthy: Both Tom Murphy and Trevor Story were rewarded with good work at AA New Britain in the first half of the year by getting call-ups to AAA Albuquerque for the second half (and Murphy just went a step further to the big leagues!). Those two each had relatively successful rookie half seasons in Albuquerque, too (Murphy slashed .271/.301/.535, and Story slashed .277/.304/.524). It remains to be seen whether Murphy and/or Story are ready for the big leagues at the start of 2016, but they certainly turned heads in Denver by jumping quickly to AAA and then proving they at least weren’t overmatched.

Big league ready: Angelys Nina. There may never be a big league spot for Nina, at least with the Rockies, but the 27-year-old second baseman had a very nice season for the Albuquerque Isotopes, and a few sings point to him being ready for a bigger challenge than the Pacific Coast League.

In 114 games/420 at-bats this year, Nina slashed .300/.333/.402, and even more encouragingly he only struck out 46 times all season. Add 20 doubles, 5 triples, 4 homers, and 18 stolen bases, and Nina is not far from the big leagues. Considering the Rockies’ middle infield options, Nina may not have a shot in Denver, though.

Next: The 2015 Isotopes' Pitching And Defense