Isotopes' Hunter Goodman makes quite the impression: First week in Triple-A littered with long balls
Aug. 17—Hunter Goodman says he's not really locked into a single defensive position.
The Albuquerque Isotopes' newest addition is more than happy to see his name on the daily lineup card as catcher, first baseman, outfielder or designated hitter — just as long as he gets a chance to hit.
Goodman, a 24-year-old Colorado Rockies prospect from Arlington, Tennessee, has bashed his way from Low-A Fresno to Triple-A Albuquerque this season. With a 416-foot 2-run home run in the first inning of Thursday's late-starting (rain delay) game against El Paso, Goodman has hit 30 home runs this season, third most in all of minor league baseball.
He smiled when asked earlier last week which defensive position he prefers.
"I think of myself as a catcher," Goodman said. "That's what I've spent most of my life doing and it's what I'm best at. But I'm just trying to be the best player I can at catcher, outfield or first base. Hopefully being versatile keeps me in the lineup."
So far, so good. In his first seven games with the Isotopes, Goodman has lined up at first base, catcher and DH. But there's little doubt his bat is keeping him in the lineup.
Through Thursday, when he went 3-for-5 with the 2-run homer, Goodman is hitting .353 and has already racked up five homers and 18 RBIs. He posted a two-homer game and his first professional grand slam during his first Triple-A series at Round Rock.
The home-run binge is not exactly anything new for Goodman, who holds single-season and career records for long balls at the University of Memphis, where he racked up 42. Still, he says knocking balls over the fence — even in hitter-friendly Albuquerque — is not his top priority at the plate.
"Honestly, I just try to go up with confidence and stay within myself," Goodman said. "When I try to be too big, that's when I get in trouble. I just want to keep doing the same things I've been doing. It could work out well in this ballpark."
Goodman is still making the adjustment to year-round baseball, having grown up alternating between the diamond and a football field. He managed multiple positions in both sports, playing wide receiver and punter for his high school football team.
"Punter was really because we didn't have one when I was 12 or 13 playing pee wees," Goodman said. "My dad and I just went to the field and worked on it and I thought it was kind of cool. I still wanted to play wide receiver though. Punters don't get to play that much."
Wednesday was just Goodman's third day in Albuquerque and he admits to knowing relatively little about the city. That includes a noted television series filmed in the city with a main character, Saul Goodman, who shares his last name.
"I've not seen 'Better Call Saul,'" Goodman said, "but I do know 'Breaking Bad' a little bit. I guess I'll have to check that out."
It's been a quick rise through the minors for Goodman, who was a fourth-round selection by the Rockies in the 2021 MLB Draft. To this point at least, it has not been overwhelming.
"Except for hopping on a plane every Monday, Triple-A and Double-A are pretty similar," he said. "It's all bus rides in Double-A, but the baseball seems pretty much the same."
Goodman managed only a single in his first game at Isotopes Park but he's looking forward to seeing how the ball flies at mile-high altitude, which could serve as a preview for playing at Denver's Coors Field.
"I'm not really thinking about that," Goodman said. "I just got here and the guys have taken me in, so I'm focused on trying to help this team. Just work hard, play with confidence and when the time's right, good things will happen. That's my mentality."
