Hops in Review; 2020 season
103 losses says it all. In the wake of a season gone
horribly wrong, manager António Martinez’s contract will not be renewed for
next season. After an 88 win campaign in 2019, best in Hops history,
expectations fro 2020 were very high. The abysmal reality of the season has
many stories, including:
Pitching
All five starters had ERAs over 5.00, and they averaged over
6.00 (6.03) as a staff. The best of the starters was newcomer, J.R. Murphy,
originally considered the fourth or fifth man in the rotation, ended as the
most reliable arm amongst the lot. Only Kaz Kanno reached double figures in
wins, before he tore his shoulder labrum, joining both closers, Ed Downing
(elbow reconstructive surgery) and Mike Chase, on the disabled list.
The bullpen was not a whole lot better, averaging a taste
over 6.00 (6.28) as a group as well. Once Downing went down, and the starter
problems, both Luis Sandoval (108 innings) and Nate Downs (91 innings) were
overburdened in relief roles.
Grade: D-
Hitting
Sixth best team batting average, .287, but a dismal 11th
in extra base hits and home runs, and dead last in walks, leading to an OPS
that ranked 11th as a team. There were some high notes, Antonio
Rojas came of age as both a hitter and catcher, Shannon Chase was the team
leader in power categories while hitting .273, and played every game. Carlos
Avila, splitting time between 3b and the OF, led the team in hits with 203,
while exhibiting excellent power. Fellow rookie, Dan Savage, chipped in with a
.300 average and 71 RBI.
Grade: D
Infield
Terrence Sepkiechler was the star of 2019, but injuries
limited his playing time to a mere 68 games, so his .311 average and .837 OPS,
were severely curtailed. Shortstop, Joe Frost came over in a trade with SoCal,
but then fractured his thumb, and played only 27 games in a San Diego uniform.
Ichizo Sato started over 100 games in the infield, at three positions. Though
his glove was steady, he produced little offensively. In a similar vein, backup
Jorge Castillo started 100 games in the SD infield. Carlos Avila started 51
games at 3b, but proved it is his least favorable position. Luis Martinez got
100 nondescript at bats as a rookie middle infielder.
Grade: D
Outfield
A season of hope turned into desuetude. Carlos Avila played
a lot of centerfield, but his hitting is far superior to his defense. Kyle
Reader only managed 100 at bats coming back from his concussion, and then he
promptly broke his hand. Dan Savage played hard, and hit .306 with some
pop (30 doubles and 11 HR) but maked
Avila look exquisite with a glove. Justin Davis hit .316 with a .857 OPS, but
also proved doubtful with a glove. Badry Makaev was a positive member of the
.300/.800 crew, and was the one bright spot in the Hops’ outfield.
Grade: C-
The future?
The farm system has some potential help with the likes of
pitchers, Jorgé Roman, Yeung Suk-Kim, Georgie Levin and Arturo Vega, but they
are all uncertain in their major league readiness, and none has shown top shelf
status as a starter. As for hitters, nine of the top ten prospects in the
system are outfielders, with only SS Gerard Reeder breaking that monopoly. Look
for SD to dangle four or five of these prospects to get some more pitching.
Grade: Pending, as many of the players in the minor leagues
could be traded by 2021.
