Stevens off to big start with Isotopes

April 13, 2026, Albuquerque, N.M. – Veteran infielder Chad Stevens didn’t make the Colorado Rockies final roster after spring training.

But the 27-year-old University of Portland product, who anchored the middle infield for two championship Corvallis Knights teams, is doing all he can with the triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes to merit a promotion back to the big leagues.

Stevens was 2-for-6 with a homer, two runs and three RBIs in a 19-12 victory at El Paso on April 12. That performance raised his average to an impressive .344 and his OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) to an astronomical .943.

He was 7-for-18 (.389) in the five-game series at El Paso, with a homer, three doubles, five runs and three RBIs. That outburst upped his average by 36 points.

Stevens made his MLB debut last season with the Los Angeles Angels and went 2-for-13 during a five-game cup of coffee in early July. He spent most of the season at triple-A Salt Lake City, where he posted a strong .290/.375/.480 slash line.

He signed a free-agent deal with Colorado on Dec. 9, 2025. He’s a valuable organizational asset because he can play all four infield positions as well as the outfield corners.

Stevens starred on two West Coast League championship teams (2017, 2018) for the Knights, before and after his freshman season at the University of Portland. He hit a combined .300 (97-323), with three homers and 42 RBIs, and was an honorable-mention all-star in both seasons.

Stevens was selected by Houston in the 11^th round of the 2021 MLB draft following his senior season. He was a three-time West Coast Conference All-Star for the Pilots, earning first-team honors in 2020 and 2019 and second-team plaudits in 2018.

Stevens then played three years in the Astros’ minor-league system before being released. However, he was quickly signed by the Angels in May, 2024, and began a relentless climb through their minor-league system before reaching the majors.

He played for the Angels in the Arizona Complex League with Tri-City in the Class A Northwest League; with Rocket City in the double-A Southern League, and had 2024 and 2025 stints with the Bees in the triple-A Pacific Coast League.

Stevens played at Gig Harbor (Wash.) High School before enrolling at Portland. He was also selected by the San Diego Padres in the 40^th round of the 2017 draft, but did not sign.

The Knights kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, May 21, with their 13th annual Science, Engineering & Art Day, presented by Paventy & Brown Orthodontics. The Goss Stadium matchup will feature the Knights hosting the NW Star Nighthawks in a non-league contest.

Corvallis opens the West Coast League season in Kamloops, B.C., on May 29 at the Kamloops NorthPaws. The WCL home opener is set for 6:35 p.m. on June 10 against the Marion Berries.