Isotopes pitcher Gabriel Hughes has started the season with a strong start, posting a 5.11 ERA in 14 games and 61.2 innings pitched for the Albuquerque Isotopes last season. Hughes, a former first-round draft pick of the Rockies, is expected to start games in Denver this season. Despite this, manager Pedro Lopez has been impressed with Hughes' performance and expectations for him to start in games in the big league. The Isotope is currently playing a six-game Pacific Coast League series against the El Paso Chihuahuas. The team has thrown a Triple-A high 1,497 pitches and all 20 International teams in the PCL, making it the lowest nine in the league.