Here are six Isotopes to know heading into 2025 campaign

The Albuquerque Isotopes gathered for a team dinner Wednesday night, a couple days before their season started. Manager Pedro Lopez looked around the table and liked what he saw.

“We have some young players, mixed in with veteran players,” said Lopez, who is entering his third year at the helm of the Colorado Rockies’ Triple-A franchise and still looking for his first winning season.

Will that combination be enough to snap a 13-year postseason drought?

Speaking Thursday about the team’s potential this season, Lopez said, “No excuses, we got the talent.”

We’ll find out soon. The 2025 campaign gets underway Friday with a three-game series in Sacramento. The Isotopes return home for six games against the Salt Lake Bees, a series that begins Tuesday.

Rockies left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, on a rehab assignment, will be the opening night starter. Gomber’s the one who hosted the team dinner, Lopez said.

Around that table were 15 faces new to Albuquerque, 13 players who have MLB experience and eight players who will be making their Triple A debuts this season. Here’s a look at six Isotopes to know this season.

RHP CHASE DOLLANDER: The Rockies top prospect, and No. 25 overall according to MLB Pipeline, is scheduled to start Sunday in Sacramento. Lopez said he was surprised the Rockies didn’t call up Dollander — who pitched High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford in his debut last year — to the big leagues to start the season. “I’m eager to see once the lights are on, how’s he’s going to play here in the PCL,” Lopez said of the Pacific Coast League. “He’s a guy with a lot of upside.”

C AUSTIN NOLA: The club’s elder statesman at 35 years old, he’s had plenty of experience in the battery, including in practice with his brother, Phillies ace Aaron Nola. “Being able to have (Austin) Nola behind the plate three times a week, handling the pitching staff … teaching some of these younger catchers how to call games and how to go about their business — I think it’s going to be great,” Lopez said.

LHP JEFRY YAN: His exuberant celebrations on the mound have sparked conversation around whether he’s bringing undue attention to himself, or necessary excitement to the game. Lopez said Yan’s relief performance, and antics, in a spring training game helped spark an offensive onslaught that allowed the team to rally from a six-run deficit and win. Yan has distinct personalities on and off the field. “He’s really mellow in the clubhouse. Fun to be around, but not as exciting as when he’s pitching,” Lopez said.

OF ZAC VEEN: The eighth-ranked prospect in the organization, Veen returns to the Isotopes after playing in 21 games for the organization last year. He’s one of nine Isotopes among the Rockies’ top 30 prospects, and Lopez is aware Veen may head north before season’s end. “Hopefully (the top prospects) do well enough, they aren’t here long,” he said.

2B ADIEL AMADOR and SS RYAN RITTER: Last season’s middle infield for Hartford has been called up to Triple A. Both Amador (seventh-rated prospect) and Ritter (14th) will be counted on to get the ball in play and then put pressure on the defense. “I want guys running, I want guys being aggressive,” Lopez said, adding that he’d like to see the Isotopes record 200 stolen bases this season.

Full roster

RHP: Zach Agnos, Diego Castillo, Dugan Darnell, Chase Dollander, Tanner Gordon, Jaden Hill, Karl Kauffmann, Juan Mejia, Anthony Molina, Andrew Quezada

LHP: Lucas Gilbreath, Evan Justin, Jack O”Loughlin, Carson Palmquist, Ryan Rolison, Jefry Yan

CATCHERS: Braxton Fulford, Austin Nolan, Ronaiker Palma

INFIELDERS: Adaael Amador, Warming Bernabel, Julio Carreras, Keston Hiura, Owen Miller, Ryan Ritter, Aaron Schunk

OUTFIELDERS: Yanquiel Fernández, Sterlin Thompson, Zac Veen

Jackie Robinson Night

Students in grades K-12 can complete an essay, poem or artwork about baseball and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson and receive four free reserved level tickets to the “Jackie Robinson Night” home game April 15 against El Paso.

The projects should be on the following subjects:

• Why was Jackie Robinson’s impact so important on America?
• What inspiration can you draw from Jackie Robinson to break barriers we continue to face today?
• Do you have a goal/desire to become the “first” to accomplish something in your life? If so, what is it and why?

Students should bring their completed assignments to the Isotopes Park Administrative Offices between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to claim their tickets. All projects must be submitted by April 11.

Orbit’s the best

Orbit, the Isotopes mascot, won the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award for Best Minor League Baseball Mascot, as voted on by fans in a nationwide contest.

Asst. Managing Editor Lucas Peerman can be reached at lpeerman@abqjournal.com or @LucasPeerman on Twitter.