Vimael Machín has played for 20 teams since the summer of 2014.
From summer college wood-bat leagues back east to plenty of Minor League teams, a couple of stretches in the Majors and numerous international games for his native Puerto Rico, the 32-year-old infielder has an awful lot of experiences and interactions to draw from.
So when asked what it is about this season with the Albuquerque Isotopes that has him feeling so upbeat and positive — both with great performance on the field and good vibes off it — his answer carries some weight.
"All those teams, this is the most fun I've had in my whole career," Machín told the Journal last week during his team's six-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Comets. "I'm 32 years old, about to be 33, and I've been playing pro since 2015, so me saying this, I mean it. I wake up every day here and I just want to get to the field. It's always fun."
Winning (the Isotopes are 25-20 and one game out of first in the Pacific Coast League standings) and hitting (he's hitting .347 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and has a .573 slugging percent in 33 games) are a big part of those good feelings, of course. But so, too, is the "winning" clubhouse atmosphere that Isotopes manager Pedro Lopez and Colorado Rockies front office personnel have told the Journal was very much an offseason goal with the types of players brought in to fill the roster around the core of young, top prospects.
And Machín, along with veteran players like Blake Crimm, Dre Avans, Chad Stevens and a few others, are a big part of that calculated roster construction that has paid off so far this season.
"We have great chemistry here, especially with all the young guys we have here," Machín said. "… Just to come here every day and just be there for them — they come to me and ask me a lot of questions. It's fun. I'm having a blast this year."
With just 30 games and five series remaining before the first-half race comes to a close (the PCL crowns a first-half and a second-half winner), that the Isotopes are still in the race is as much about how guys like Machín are hitting as it is about how they are teaching.
"It's leadership. He leads by example," Lopez said of Machín. "If you want to talk about offensively, he's got a really good approach. He's got a really good feel for hitting. He's got a really good feel for analyzing the game and making in-game adjustments. We come out here every day and there's a plan in place, but that plan is subject to change, depending on the pitcher. He's a guy that has been able to do that throughout the years, and I think that's what he brings to the table here and he's able to communicate with the younger players."
Thanks for coming
Clearly part of the equation was having three-time World Series champion and Los Angeles Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernandez in town for six games last week playing for the Oklahoma City Comets while rehabbing an injury. But whatever the reason, what a homestand it was at the turnstiles at Rio Grande Credit Union Field.
The Isotopes announced 51,815 fans over the six-game set, the fifth-highest homestand attendance in franchise history.
Huge shoutout to all the Isotopes fans for making this week one for the record books!
We also currently lead ALL of @MiLB in total attendance! pic.twitter.com/fizb7Zki6A
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) May 17, 2026
"What we saw this week is Albuquerque at its absolute best," said Isotopes General Manager Chrissy Baines. "Fifty‑thousand plus fans packing the ballpark isn't just a number as it's a statement about the passion, pride, and heart of this community. Our fans and partners play a huge role in making these nights unforgettable. This city shows up, and we're honored to be the place where those memories are made."
Also, the Isotopes' 161,581 fans so far this season leads all of Minor League Baseball.
Trivia time!
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Question: Last week was the fifth-highest-attended homestand in franchise history.
Three of the four better-attended series included holiday fireworks games, and one of the top four featured an injury rehab appearance by a Dodgers star, who in this case played for, not against, the Isotopes.
Who was that injured Dodger, and when was that series that drew more fans than last week despite being just a four-game series?
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Answer: See below…
Know the foe
The Isotopes hit the road home for a six-game Pacific Coast League series at Las Vegas Ballpark in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tuesday through Sunday.
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Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, 25-20 overall, 2nd place PCL
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Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, 23-20 overall, 4th place PCL
Three up, three down
Some things that have been looking good lately for the 'Topes, some not so good.
Looking good:
1.
IF Chad Stevens singled in the first inning of Sunday's loss to Oklahoma City, extending his in-season on-base streak to 38 games. That ties the franchise record held by Joe Dillon (June 26-Aug. 8, 2005).
Overall, Stevens has a 48-game on-base stretch that began Sept. 11, 2025, against Salt Lake.
2.
Albuquerque's 14 road wins are the most in the PCL this season. They are 14-7 on the road (just 11-13 at home).
3.
IF Nic Kent hit his first Triple-A home run in Sunday's loss to Oklahoma City. Seven of Kent's eight hits this season have gone for extra bases.
Look away:
1.
The Isotopes allowed 59 runs and 69 hits over the final four games — all losses — of the OKC series. That's an average of 14.8 runs and 17.3 hits per game.
2.
Albuquerque's four-game losing streak to OKC Thursday through Sunday ties a season-long skid.
3.
Pitcher Erasmo Ramirez allowed 10 hits on Sunday, the most for a Topes pitcher this season. The nine runs he allowed was tied for the most this season from all of two days prior when Stu Flesland III allowed nine vs. OKC on Friday.
Fast food
There's something about that jar. With three racers, it's all natural. And then there's Salsa, who has this jar exterior that seems to be giving it an advantage this season.
Is the jar juiced?
2026 Season Standings (23 races):
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11 wins — Salsa Jar
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5 wins — Red Chile
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4 wins — Green Chile
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3 wins — Taco
What are they doing?
Here's a check in on some (not all) of the fun promos the "other guys" are doing this season when the Isotopes are in town. In Las Vegas this week…
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Wednesday: Bark on the Berm with dogs allowed in the ballpark
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Thursday: $2 beer!
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Friday: Kids paw patrol hat giveaway
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Saturday: Star Wars Night (May the 23rd be with you?)
Trivia answer
In four games from June 23-26, 2009 against Nashville, the Isotopes welcomed in 53,070 fans thanks to a brief appearance on an injury rehab assignment from fan-favorite Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez.
Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.
