Topes Notes: There's no hotter hitter than Albuquerque's Ryan Ritter

From the first pitch of Sunday’s Albuquerque Isotopes game against the Reno Aces, it was clear: Ryan Ritter’s incredible hot streak is far from over.

“We are under way from Greater Nevada Field,” Reno Aces’ play-by-play announcer Nash Walker is heard on the game broadcast, ushering fans into the contest as Reno starting pitcher Yu-Min Lin’s first pitch sailed toward home plate.

CRACK!

“Ritter blasted to left — Ryan Ritter with his 10th (home run) he is into double digits. The first pitch he sees from Yu-Min Lin, off the scoreboard and back into left field. Ryan Ritter, my goodness. Is this a man on fire?”

That top of the first homer was only a sign of things to come — both for Ritter, a shortstop, and the Isotopes in a 14-0 shellacking of the Aces.

For Ritter, the 24-year-old Colorado Rockies prospect, it was the start of one of the most memorable games of his young baseball career and a continuation of one of the hottest streaks the Isotopes franchise has ever seen.

That first-inning homer extended Ritter’s hitting streak to 11 games, including a franchise- record 10 consecutive games with an extra base hit.

He hit two more homers Sunday to finish 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs.

Back to Walker in the fifth inning: “Ritter, deep to left. At the track, at the wall, it is gone. Ryan Ritter, with his 11th — two homers today for Ritter.”

By the time Ritter’s third dinger came in the ninth inning, Walker had seen enough.

“Ryan Ritter to left and gone. Ritter, three home runs today. Are you kidding me? 12 homers on the season. This is a two-run blast. Ryan Ritter, call him up.”

The Rockies’ No. 12 prospect went 13-of-30 with five doubles, four homers and eight RBIs in the three-game series in Reno.

On Monday, Ritter was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the second straight week, the first player in Isotopes history to win the award in consecutive weeks.

He was also named on Monday to his second-straight MLB Pipeline Team of the Week, a position-by-position list covering prospects at all levels of the minors.

In his 11-game hitting streak, Ritter is hitting 23-for-52 with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 17 RBI while posting a .482 on-base percentage, .981 slugging and 1.463 OPS.

His 51 total bases in that span is more than any other player in the minors with Tacoma’s Samad Taylor being closest at 35.

The 2022 fourth-round draft pick of the Rockies is now hitting .284 with 12 homers and 33 RBI in his first season in Triple-A.

Know the foe

The Isotopes (22-28, ninth place, Colorado Rockies affiliate) host the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (30-20, second place, Houston Astros affiliate) from Tuesday through Sunday at Isotopes Park.

Homecoming? Yes and no

Space Cowboys outfielder Quincy Hamilton grew up in Alamogordo before moving out of state in high school.

The 26-year-old Hamilton is hitting just .128 with four home runs and 14 RBIs this season.

Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, who grew up in Albuquerque and attended Hope Christian before moving to Texas in high school, is not likely to see an injury rehab appearance this week for Sugar Land.

Arrighetti has been out since early April with broken thumb.

Fast food

Isotopes Park Chile Race standings entering May 27 homestand (23 races):

9 wins — Salsa Jar

6 wins — Taco

5 wins — Green Chile

3 wins — Red Chile

Homestand highlights

Games Tuesday through Saturday start at 6:35 p.m.; Sunday’s game is at 6:05 p.m.

THURSDAY: Mental Health Awareness Night: Strikeout the Stigma; 2025 Isotopes baseball card giveaway night (first 1,00 fans).

FRIDAY: Gates open at 5 p.m.; Country night; Pregame concert on the outfield berm featuring Austin Van (5:15-6 p.m.); Pregame player autographs inside third base gate (5:40-6 p.m.).

SATURDAY: Science Night, featuring interactive exhibits on the concourse; postgame fireworks.

SUNDAY: Pride Night, local nonprofit organizations will be featured on the concourse; pride hat giveaway (first 1,500 fans).

You can reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.