The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TODD Isaacs Jr will begin the next phase of his career in Grand Junction, his first assignment with the Colorado Rockies organisation.

Isaacs will join the Grand Junction Rockies in the Pioneer League as the team makes their season debut tonight.

The Pioneer League operates in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. In the past, it also operated in adjoining portions of Canada. It is classified as a rookie league and is staffed with mostly first and second-year players. The Pioneer League is a short-season league operating from June to early September.

Isaacs was signed by the Colorado Rockies in May to begin his stint with the second club of his minor league career.

After spending nearly four years with the Cleveland Indians organisation, Isaacs was released at the end of March and detailed his thoughts on the transactions on the Paradise Vibes Only Podcast alongside Lucius Fox and Tim McMaster.

“It’s definitely a business, I’m forever grateful to the Indians for giving me the opportunity in 2015. They really shaped and molded me as the man I am, the person I am and the baseball player I am today,” Isaacs said.

“There really was a lot of values that I learned from the organisation that I will carry for the rest of my life, I made some really good friends, met some really cool people, the biggest thing for me was in my life wherever I go I want to leave an effect on the people around me and that’s what I feel like I did. I felt like I built lifelong relationships with people that will last forever.”

Isaacs made his Spring Training debut with the Indians in March. Last season, he completed his second season with the Lake County Captains, of the Class A - Midwest League.

In 106 games with the Captains, Isaacs hit .232 with 90 hits, 30 stolen bases, an OPS of .608, 31 RBI, 128 total bases, 20 doubles, and four home runs.

In 82 games in 2017, his first with the club, Isaacs hit .224 with 18 stolen bases, slugging .376, an on-base percentage of .260, an OPS of .636, 33 RBI and nine home runs.

“I didn’t realise having that sense of urgency and what it means to be grateful until the day came and I got released. It was really bitter in that moment, but the week and-a-half I spent at home it really gave me an opportunity to clear my mind, take a step back and realise that whenever my next opportunity comes...everyday I have to practice and perform like it was my last,” Isaacs said.

“I realise that my career could be done at any second. The Rockies could have not called me and that could have been it right there and I’m forever grateful to the Rockies for giving me a second opportunity and this is where I feel like I need to be. I can’t wait to win a World Series with the Rockies one day.”