The promise of spring so quickly mired in the hard grind of
summer turned the Hops initial season into a slow slog into the lower division
where their 74-88 campaign left them over 30 back of the division leaders. Long-term
injuries to Vasquez, Pircalab and Ilharco were one of the keys, as the three
best gloves in the infield left a poor defense to the left and up the middle
with not enough bat to compensate. There were glimmers of hope along the way,
and like a good barleywine, age may see this club develop into a contender yet.
2014 is forseen as a building year, and 2015 should be a year of fruition for
the malted mavens of the southland.
Overall Perspective:
San Diego is very strong at catcher and the infield corners, while middle of
the road or slightly worse at all other aspects of the game. The team looks to
build up a corps of pitchers that will take advantage of decent glovework and
continue to produce dangerous batsmen at current weaker positions.
Starting Pitching:
Mike Joyce is the ace of a staff that is mature, but still has resilience in
its arms. The top three starters, Joyce, Elvis Sharp and Dave Lee, all had ERAs
north of 4.90, which is unacceptable, but double digit wins and over 30 starts
for all show a tenacity and willingness to challenge the opposition. Newcomer,
rookie Ted Mills, only 20, gained valuable experience throwing over 120 innings
and picking up five victories in his 18 starts. Jason Bolyard won nine as the
fifth man. Tanaka and Heida may have proven that it is a big leap from Japan to
the American big leagues, or it could simply be a matter of age getting to
these imports. There is not a lot of talent in the pipeline beyond Mills, so
this is an area that will need to be addressed very seriously if SD is to
contend.
Bullpen: Mike
Chase saved 30 to finish in the top ten in the category, and he was ably backed
by Nate Downs closing out with 11 saves. The pen had four other pitchers manage
games as closers as well, so this is an area where San Diego can count on
success. Of particular note is workhorse Steve Johnson who appeared in 77 games
and logged nearly 100 innings with a superb 2.75 ERA. Even better, Aurelio
Mata, with 90 appearances, and Phil Bernard with 94, showed that the Hops will
always have a willing arm to throw into the fray. Names to look for in 2014 are
Joe Barrett, Joe Rice, Ed Downing and Aaron Bowers, all with live arms and
looking to break into the big leagues with fervor.
Catcher:
Definitely the deepest position in the San Diego lineup with veteran Jason
Clemens and young phenom, Dorian Knight splitting time handling the Hops staff.
Knight hit at a .330 clip, and Clemens was on base nearly 40% of his plate
appearances, coupled with Clemens’ superior pitch handling, they made a
dangerous duo.
First Base:
Miguel Ortiz is one of the true superstar sluggers of the league. He led the
league in HRs (49) and total bases (403), while finishing fifth in RBIs while
hitting a rakish .313. At 31, his prime years are ahead, and San Diego has him
locked in through 2015.
Second Base:
Armando Ilharco spent the most time at the keystone, and his defensive strength
was offset by a weak offensive side. When he got hurt in August, in came
Charlie Jackson who played over 50 games at the position, but though he hits,
his defense was akin to a statue. Little shows in the pipeline, unless Evans in
A ball develops a bat to go with his flashy leather.
Third Base: Mario
Vasquez is the incumbent, but his long injury showed the lack of depth at the
position. Steve Cherry proved to be a dangerous bat and a reliable glove at the
hot corner. His .824 OPS was fourth best on the team behind Ortiz, Knight and
Jackson. Charlie Jackson is also known to backup here.
Shortstop: Cornel
Pircalab was far more skilled than the fans and management expected, and it is
hoped that he can continue to connect with power as well as show uncommon range
at short. When he went down to injury, Steve Cherry attempted to fill the
position, but he is better at third.
Left Field: Nobody
on the Hops appeared in more than fifty games in left field, so it is clear
that the jury is still very far from decided. Bryan Caldwell, great aplate,
horrid afield? Eric White, aging bat, still capable in left or Mike Johnson, is
perhaps the best combination of all, not to mention the fan darling, Truman
Madison. Caldwell and Johnson are good hitters with .725 average OPS.
Center Field: Stan
Sanders tried manfully to run down flies in the spacious Brewstade pastures,
but alas, a life of hops can lead to a lack of mobility, and Stan has enjoyed
his post-pastime practice for far too long to be the first choice in center.
Cantering into contention will require one of the young bucks like John Doré
(+8.5 ZR) to continue to mature at the plate.
Right Field: Mike
Johnson and Bryan Caldwell proved versatile, platooning in RF as well as left.
San Diego will definitely go into spring with eyes on outfielders via any route
possible.
Designated Hitter:
Dorian Knight is best suited to the DH role, but Stan Sanders and a number of
others are also capable. The future at this position depends a lot on the
ongoing search for bats in the southland.
Prospects: San
Diego’s farm system is pitcher heavy at the top end, so balancing that with
major league hitters is the goal. In the most recent draft, SD was disappointed
that Conner Blackwood decided to attend college rather than pursue a career
swinging for the Hops’ fences.
