Dismal San Diego year: 2025 in Review

Kendrick Dobson made six relief appearances in San Diego rookie debut, posting a 5.40 ERA, typical of the mound antics for the Hops this last season.

San Diego Hops 2025 in Review

Welcome to a year in the tank. The Hops regressed badly from 82-80 in ’23, followed by a 75 win campaign in ’24, ’25 proved to be a disaster, as the loss record nearly reached the century mark. The number of issues plaguing the team continue to grow, and management has conceded that some of the team may need to be moved for a youth movement. Most notable among the names being floated are Goldi Lebel and Carlos Avila.

Despite the abysmal pitching (11^th in the league in both starters and the bullpen, posting ERAs nearing 6.00) and inadequate hitting (10^th in runs scored), fans came out in droves. San Diegans found enough to do at the ballpark to the tune of over 45,000 per game, a rise of nearly 12% over 2024. That was the bright spot. Now the granularity:

• Ed Downing lost his closer role enroute to a 3-10 record and a 5.99 ERA

• Jorge Ortíz lost 12 with only 5 wins, and an ERA on the north side of 7.00

• James Thompson, thought to be big league caliber, went 2-11 in his rookie campaign before being sent back to Coronado

• Mal Tosewell came back from an injury shortened 2024 to win only 12, while losing the same amount with a 4.38 ERA, the best of the starters, but not the ace level fans got used to in 2022 and ‘23.

• Bill Baker, the ace of the staff in ’24, never found his groove and went 2-5 with a 7.75 ERA, over two points higher than ‘24

• Another rookie, Chris Hastings, went 6-11 in 22 starts and a dozen relief appearances

Clearly, pitching is on the agenda for the off-season. On the offensive side, there are a number of performances worth noting:

• Morgan Cairns got the bulk of the starts behind the plate, starting over 100 games for the first time in his career at 33. Pitchers liked him, but it is unclear how long SD can languish with his limited offense.

• Goldi Lebel, who had been the primary catcher in ’22 and ’23, continued the switch to SS full-time with excellent results, starting 152 games while hitting a solid .282. However, with a slugging percentage of .309, Goldi doesn’t represent a power threat whatsoever. Rumors abound that the former overall number one draft pick could be wearing a different uniform in ’26.

• Kyle Reader started 100 games at 1b and hit .339 with a .400 OBP, but was hurt for a third of the year. Buddah Stalin filled in and reached career highs in every batting category. His 15 homers were a pleasant surprise, as he had 11 total in his minor and major league career. Stalin, like Cairns, is over 30, so is not a long-term solution.

• Ken Abbott led the Hops in many major hitting categories, as the transplant obtained in trade from South Carolina, proved worthy. Abbott needs more support in the order if the Hops are to move up in the standings.

• Tom Cassidy had the best year of his career, leading the team with 28 HRs, and 91 RBIs, while hitting .284. However, his defensive lapses in CF hurt the team. He will very likely move to a corner OF slot in ’26.

• Jejomar Butardo missed a couple of months with a bad back, but when healthy, the lone youngster in the crowded Hops OF corps, hit well, .276/.354/.448 with 17 HRs. Finding a spot defensively will be the task for ’26, as he is best in RF, but adequate at 1b and 3b.

• Ricardo Romo was the main LFer, but like his neighbor, Cassidy, proved somewhat immobile as an OFer. His hitting was adequate, if unspectacular, with 23 HRs and 75 RBIs, both down a bit from his peak years.

• Gerard Leeder started 158 games at 2b, and hit leadoff almost all season. He led the league in strikeouts with 244, not the kind of statistic one desires for a table setter. His defense was great, so plans are to drop him in the order to take advantage of his pop (27 Doubles, 9 Triples and 24 HRs).

• Paul Miller DHed most of the year, and the clubhouse found a new leader, but needs yet another spot for him defensively. He can play 2^nd or 3^rd, and might move to 2b if Leeder moves to SS should Lebel get traded. Miller is also trade bait, but is not gaining a lot of interest thus far.

• Two-time all star, Carlos Avila, had career lows in every offensive category. He too might change clubs, but his contract is a bit on the pricey side for a 30 year old, suddenly, part-time player.

• Another odd-man out in the Hops OF was Daniel López, who managed 105 hits with a dozen round-trippers.

• Carlos Gamboa was more than adequate as a utility infielder, hitting .390 in 100 at bats.

Summary:

Too many outfielders, not enough pitching and a leadoff hitter with 244 Ks is not a formula for success. The best prospects are still two years away from the big leagues, so one must think San Diego is going to make some deals, and hope to build a better cash reserve for years to come.