San Diego Hops Season Opening Preview
Pundits have pegged San Diego for a mediocre 85+ loss
season, but fans hope for better from their favorite beer drinking pastime.
Catcher
Goldi Lebel has arrived, and though he could play SS or CF
with equal ardor, it is behind the plate that he can make a difference, at
least to start the season. Antonio Rojas coming off a great season will see a
lot of backup action. Chris Morton waits in the minors should there be depth
issues.
1b
Shannon Chase moves to DH, and Kyle Reader is bumped from
the outfield to first. Reader is off to a fantastic start, and is showing no
problems handling the infield. Sepkiecheler and Rojas can play there in a
pinch, as well as Chase.
2b
Joe Frost slides over from shortstop to take on the second
sack. The veteran has ample talent, and Hops faithful are hopeful he has at
least one more good season. Ichizi Sato backs up all three infield spots.
SS
Jorge Castillo has a brilliant glove, and SD hopes his bat
is at least adequate. If not, look for Lebel to take off the tools of ignorance
and plug this hole.
LF
Justin Davis just came off the DL to play all three OF
positions, but he lost his job while injured to Badry Makaev.
CF
Carlos Avila is the team power leader and does a fine job in
center as well.
RF
Daniel Lopez flip flops between the two corner OF spots,
backed by Davis.
SP
The weak point of the Hops’ team, but there might be some
hope in the wings. Kaz Kanno and Tad Kato are the top two in the rotation. Kato
went 12-9 last season and is looking to win at least 15 this season. If Lorenzo
Pueblo, Bill Baker and Lee Barker can all also improve by three wins each, San
Diego might even sniff contention. Mal Tosewell and Jin-song Cheung are
champing at the bit in AAA.
Bullpen
Getting to closer Ed “Crime Spree” Downing is the task for
Ivan Garcia and Nat Downs. Sandoval, Lara, Lewis and Barrett along with rule 5
draftee, Hatsutori, fill out the roster.
With a 6-6 start to the season, San Diego is already showing
signs of improvement. Sweeping Montreal gave the team a huge boost of
confidence. Castillo and Frost are cold at the plate, but are doing quite a
nice job in the field and began to heat up in the Bandit series. Kato has been
the ace so far, but Barker and Baker have both pitched a great game each. Kyle
Reader is hot to start the year at the plate, and might again flirt with .400.
