BSN Exclusive: How Isotopes Park became a competitive advantage for the Colorado Rockies

ALBUQUERQUE, NM. – Some stories are just designed from the ground up to fill the heart with warmth. That’s the relationship right now between the Colorado Rockies and their Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Announcing a two-year extension of their deal on Monday, both parties had the word “family” on the tips of their tongue when speaking of the closeness between the two clubs.

“Ken [Young, President of the Isotopes] has filled my closet with red and I have filled his closet with purple,” said Director of Player Development Zach Wilson.

But this isn’t just a feel-good story. This is also a strategic decision that was designed to continue the pay off on the field, Wilson told BSN Denver.

“First and foremost, the facility is beautiful, obviously,” he says, but continued to go beyond that. “Environmentally, it’s very similar to Denver. I think it’s almost the exact same altitude, the two stadiums, so it certainly gives us the opportunity to get players here and get used to the altitude.”

For those concerned this statement reflects a similar mentality to those of the past that arguably showed too much emphasis on the elevation, Wilson clarifies that this approach has far more to do with an issue that has been well documented locally but is given very little attention on a national scale.

“Not so much from a playing standpoint,” he says, dispelling the notion that players need to completely adjust their game if they happen to be wearing purple, “But from a recovery standpoint.”

The wear and tear that going from high altitude to sea level can cause is a unique issue that requires the Rockies to find a unique solution. And this partnership has been invaluable in that regard.

“To get guys here and get guys used to the type of sleep they need, the rest that they need, the type of nutrition, the type of hydrating you’ve got to do,” Wilson continued, “That helps us in our development process as sort of that last step so they can get used to that and know what that feels like before they get to the ultimate level where they have to deal with that every day.”

Jon Weil, the Rockies Assistant GM of Player Personnel, has been the man in charge of acquiring minor league players who can succeed in these environments, and he tells BSN that the counter intuitive approach has paid off huge.

“A lot of people look at many of our minor league affiliates – Lancaster, Asheville, Albuquerque – as being detriments to (player) development. We look at it as a positive because guys get to touch different levels of adversity all the way up. Zach challenges them on their mental toughness all the way up through the minor leagues. By the time they get to the big leagues, they’ve faced adversity one way or another, particularly at altitude. We look at that as part of our development process.”

The Rockies reliance on and investment in growing their own talent (especially pitchers) reaches back to before they became affiliated with Albuquerque, but the sheer number of young players that have blossomed at Isotopes Park before making their way to Coors Field is staggering.

Since 2015, 58 players have come through Albuquerque en route to the Rockies, including Kyle Freeland, Trevor Story, German Márquez, Tyler Anderson, David Dahl and Ryan McMahon.

Each of these players, in addition to plenty of others, have benefited greatly from their time at Isotopes Park.

Now the next generation, featuring names like Brendan Rodgers, Sam Hilliard, Peter Lambert and more will have that same opportunity. And, if they take advantage of it, may well find themselves in MLB before they know it.

And they’ll be ready.