San Diego Hops, mid-season 2028
Thirty games under .500, good for last place, 36.5 games
back of the division leaders, and fresh off a series of trades at the July 31
deadline that has left Hops’ fans wondering, “What the heck is going on?”
Clearly, this is a
team struggling to find an identity, and in the midst of an eight game losing
streak, that identity is hard to fathom. The best pitcher (depicted above),
Jorge “Tangles” Ortiz, is a journeyman hurler who has spent the last five years
of his career in San Diego after coming over from Eureka in ’23. This season,
his 3.50 ERA is the Hops’ best, and has bounced him back to the starting
rotation. His 5-5 record shows what little support he is getting from the
offense, and how bad the bullpen has been this season. Mal Tosewell is the only
other arm that has been consistent, going 8-5 in a dozen starts coupled with
another fifteen appearances out of the pen. From there it is downhill. Though
the fans rebelled at the departure of James Thompson in a deadline deal, he was
4-12 this season, and 12-32 in his Hops’ career. Walt Lawson, also in a
different uniform after the deadline flurry, was 22-32, also with an ERA well
over 5. Their replacements are at least inexpensive, the reason most frequently
cited for the San Diego roster makeover. After the deals that also saw Kyle
Reader and Tom Cassidy leave the southland, the front office now enjoys an
opportunity to spend money in the offseason on free agents, as well as extend
those left on the roster.
HOP UPS
Besides Ortiz and Tosewell on the mound, what else is there
for SD fans to cheer about? Start with veteran third-sacker, Ken Abbott. He’s
clicking along at a .311/.349/.430 rate while contributing a decent glove at
the hot corner. Next to him, another vet, Donald Cameron, is also hitting at
.313 with a bit more pop, nine homers to Abbott’s seven. In the outfield/DH
role, Ricardo Romo, .338/.369/.504 with 14 HR, and Danny Lopez, .294 in part
time play are the veteran presence. Asked about often at trade deadline time
was the future of the franchise, Jejomar Butardo, who leads the team with 20
HR, and his 63 RBI is one less than leader, Romo.
HOP DOWNS
Pitching is deplorable in the Brew Stade, with some hope for
some of the prospects brought over in trade. John Calderon is doing an adequate
job behind the plate but is struggling again at the plate. Akira Kato is having
similar problems with the stick, though his defense at 2b has been above par. Tokuhei
Taniguchi is going to see increased time at 1b, and his 16 HRs are good, but
his sub .300 OBP is not a plus. CF has been a black hole named either Jim Wood
or Xavier Encarnacion. The bench is thin and shaky.
YOUNG HOPS
All three minor-league teams are struggling as well, though
a recent hot-streak has put Coronado close to .500 at 56-57. Catcher Hae-nim
Kim may be a September call-up, as the 6th round pick has hit around
.300 two seasons in a row at the AAA level. Phil Phillips was 17-1 in the SoCal
system, but lost his first game for AA Jacksonville. Yo Watanabe, also part of
the trade glut, from Duke City, is in AAA, and rated the top pitcher in the
Hops’ system. Jim Phillips, also from Duke, is thought to have a major league
future.
HOP Sleepers
Salah Bin Atif will be in the Stade soon, and with his 100
mph heater. He is currently 8-4 in AAA after moving from the pen to the
rotation. Adjir Kasakya has bided his time in Coronado after leading the Hops
in saves last season. Two teenagers in Bethesda, the A affiliate, to watch are,
17 year old, Javier Sanchez, and 19 year old Yoshino Nakagawa, both potential
starters in a couple of years. 2026 first rounder, John Curnew seems to have
stalled in his development in A ball, though his ERA is down a full point from
the five and a half of 2027.
OUTLOOK
Dim, but at least there is some money in the bank for the
first time in three seasons.
