Longoria and the Little Things

Félix Longoria was one of those players that the Hops were forced to give playing time as injuries mounted and the season headed south. As first Pircalab, then Vasquez were hurt, not to mention Warner, Illharco, Cherry and Higashi who all also spent one or more stints on the DL.

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.

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.