The Albuquerque Isotopes defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 5-3, led by big days from Stephen Cardullo and Alex Castellanos, who made his Triple-A debut Tuesday night. As one of only two games being played by Rockies affiliates, the Isotopes jumped out to an early 3-0 lead off of a three-run Cardullo home run in the first inning. Cardullo, 28, and Castellanos, 29, both are providing quality depth in Triple-A and fulfill interesting roles within the organization.
Minor league veterans like Castellanos and independent league success stories like Cardullo rarely make an impact themselves in the majors. They often carry one or two "fatal" flaws for a baseball player; no set position, not enough raw tools to get a chance, and plenty more heard over the years. Still, they serve a vital role in providing veteran leadership to teams like Albuquerque, where some younger, higher ranked prospects will filter through throughout the season. They won't provide the quintessential, mentoring type of leadership, but professional leadership as their roles change, playing time fluctuates, and are still expected to go out and make an impact.
Cardullo in particular is a fascinating story. Bobby DeMuro's scouting report summarizes his journey to Albuquerque after spending four years in the independent leagues and is now producing a line of .289/.370/.484. There are other options that make more sense in the Rockies outfield conversation, but man it'd be nice to see him get a shot if he keeps producing like this. Unfortunately, that's just how the business of baseball works sometimes.
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 5, Fresno Grizzlies 3
Stephen Cardullo: 2/4, HR, 3 RBI
Jordan Patterson (19 PuRP): 1/3, BB
Alex Castellanos: 3/4, 2 2B, R
Harrison Musgrave (24 PuRP): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 97 pitches
Double-A: OFF
High A: OFF
Low-A: Asheville Tourists 2, Hagerstown Suns 3
Three-Run First Inning Does Tourists In | MiLB.com
Hamlet Marte: 1/4, 2B, R
Sam Hilliard: 3/3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SB
Trey Killian: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, BB, 3 K, 92 pitches
Tomorrow’s games and probables
Triple-A: Albuquerque vs. Fresno; Tyler Anderson (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Brady Rodgers
Double-A: Hartford vs. Trenton Thunder (Game 1); Carlos Hernandez (3-3, 4.97 ERA) vs. Eric Ruth
Hartford vs. Trenton (Game 2); German Marquez (4-2, 2.41 ERA) vs. Ronald Herrera
High-A: Modesto vs. High Desert Mavericks; Yency Almonte (4-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. Cole Wiper
Low-A: Asheville vs. Hagerstown; Dylan Craig (3-1. 5.90 ERA) vs. Matthew DeRosier