Fortunately for San Diego fans, Longoria came through as a solid utility player compiling some noteworthy statistics:
In near 500 at bats from a position that had a dearth of power for the first six weeks, Longoria popped 15 HRS and knocked in a rewarding 62 with 114 hits. No, not a star, but certainly adequate at a position (2b, SS) that the Hops have had little success. In fact, his team ranking was 6th for runs and hits, and 5th for HRs and RBIs.
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| Félix Longoria, San Diego Hops, IF |
The veteran, who came over to SD as a free agent from the Berserker organization, started over 100 games at 2b, and a half dozen at 3b and SS. He did well in the field, erring only seven times in just short of a .1000 tries.
Some of the other little things that kept fans in the stands despite an identical 74-88 record in 2014:
• Dwayne Sparks in limited play showing he may be a long-term answer at 1b. In only 27 games, he collected 33 hits, 6 HR, 6 doubles, 21 rbis, and showed a good eye with 13 BB against only 15K.
• Miguel Ortiz raking for 33 HR and 101 RBI, hitting .280 with a OPS north of .800
• Four other batters notching .300 seasons at the plate-Knight, Vasquez, Mike Johnson, and newcomer, Shannon Moore, with Caldwell falling just short at .296.
• The aforementioned Moore, came up from the minors to take over RF when Madison went down to injury. It should be noted, the Hops OF truly needed better gloves.
• Bill Turner showed some dazzle in his September callup, and his fielding for AAA Coronado plus his SD time yielded only one error in over 1000 chances.
• Aurelio Mata holding down the bullpen fort with pitching going awry all around him. A first time All-Star, hopefully not his last, as he will be counted on for years to come.
For the future:
Trading excess OF for either better gloves in the OF, or pitching. Four starters hit double figures in losses to only two on the victory side, and nary a one over .500.
