ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES
Isotopes' Nic Kent is defying expectations as his star rises
After years in the minors, the infielder has transformed into a powerful force for Albuquerque in his first Triple-A season
Albuquerque Isotopes infielder Nic Kent wasn鈥檛 a ballyhooed recruit or hot prospect his first five seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization. He just might be now, however, halfway through his sixth year.
Consider, Kent was batting .234 with six home runs, 79 RBIs and a .610 OPS in 205 games through the past two seasons with Double-A Hartford.
Those aren鈥檛 the kinds of numbers that get a player to Triple-A. Nonetheless, Kent got an opportunity to show his improvement in spring training and as Albuquerque鈥檚 roster shifted and opportunities opened, Kent took advantage.
So, what鈥檚 the 26-year-old doing in his first year in Triple A? He鈥檚 batting .271 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and a .902 OPS in 44 games with the Isotopes this season.
鈥�(I) wasn鈥檛 even sure I鈥檇 be here this year, but (I) was able to come here for spring training and just kept working,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was able to get my opportunity, and (I) did well with it. It鈥檚 kind of been like that my whole time with the Rockies, just kind of fighting for my spot and trying to get better every day.鈥�
The Charlottesville, Virginia native stayed home for college at UVA before the Rockies took him in the 11th round of the 2021 draft. He muddled around the minors, a steady yet unspectacular performer with Single-A Fresno, High-A Spokane and Hartford his first five years.
鈥淯nbelievable,鈥� is how Pedro Lopez, the Isotopes鈥� fourth-year manager, described Kent鈥檚 increased production at the Triple-A level.
鈥淗e was a guy that was supposed to start on the development list when we broke camp. He wasn鈥檛 playing too often early on and to be able to step up, the way he did, when guys went up to the big leagues, when the injuries happened 鈥� is huge. So I鈥檓 extremely happy,鈥� Lopez said.
Kent said the biggest key to his offensive success has been sticking to the same approach, whether in the batting cages or in the box during games.
鈥淛ust staying consistent with my approach and sticking to my turns when I鈥檓 up there, and that goes even for BP (batting practice) and when I鈥檓 in the cages,鈥� Kent said. 鈥淛ust swinging at good pitches, always working on that, and when I get my pitch, I鈥檓 able to drive it better.鈥�
More than half of Kent鈥檚 42 hits this season have gone for extra bases, with 11 doubles, two triples and nine home runs helping him settle into the Pacific Coast League without looking overmatched.
Teammates and coaches point to something beyond the stat sheet when they talk about why Kent has taken off.
Chad Stevens, an Isotopes veteran infielder, described him as 鈥渁 great guy鈥� whose behind-the-scenes work may not be fully recognized.
鈥淗e鈥檚 kind of just like a silent assassin,鈥� Stevens said. 鈥淗e goes about his business, does all the right things, so him having success is great to see.鈥�
Lopez described Kent as the kind of player whose routine and professionalism have helped him stay prepared for a bigger role.
鈥淎sk anybody out there in that clubhouse, they will tell you exactly the same thing,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 an example of somebody that comes into the field every day with a purpose, trying to get better every single day, working his butt (off), not complaining. Just being a team player.鈥�
Kent said one of the biggest lessons he has learned during his time in the minors is how important it is to keep perspective through the grind.
鈥淭here鈥檚 gonna be a lot of hard times, but if you can just work hard, enjoy your life, and the people around you, then it鈥檚 gonna be worth it,鈥� he said.
Kent鈥檚 stick-to-itiveness and self-discipline have brought him to the doorstep of the major leagues.
鈥淚t would mean a lot to me,鈥� Kent said of a potential call-up. 鈥淚鈥檓 just fighting for my spot every day, and yeah, it would mean everything.鈥�
