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| Original illustration from sketchbook, transformed to final illo below |
San Diego Hops
December, 2033
November, 2017
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| An-Yi Bian, 3b, San Diego Hops |
The Hops’
disastrous 57-105 2033 campaign had few bright moments, and even fewer bright
prospects, but there was a glimmer of hope embodied by third baseman, An-yi
Bian. Bian, a quiet Taiwanese native, has begun to take a leadership role on
the field, if not the clubhouse, and his simmering distaste for selfishness is
rubbing off on his younger teammates.
Bian hit .259, but
his on-base percentage of .367, coupled with a solid .425 slugging percentage
is sure to be a major cornerstone of the Hops’ rebuilding effort. His 98 walks
led the Clemente League, and was fourth overall in the ABL. His 34 doubles were
right behind young centerfielder, Martin Arias’ 36, for 4th and 3rd
respectively in the ABL. Arias ABL leading 204 hits mark the pair as batting
leaders San Diego can rely on for years to come, as Bian is 24 and Arias a mere
22 years of age.
2033 was a year
most San Diegans would like to forget, tied for the worst in team history,
after a brief uptick in ’32. In order to return to .500 and beyond to playoffs,
a lot of work is going to have to be done, but Bian and Arias are the
foundation from which Hops’ management is intent on building.
PITCHING
Injuries marred the
starting rotation, with Prince Papenfuss limited to just 19 starts, and Gerardo
Vela just five. The two regulars who made it unscathed by injury through the
season, Jim Phillips and Robinson Pedercini, were both under .500, but still
flashed potential as a left-right combo in the middle of the rotation. The need
is for an ace at the top of the staff, and that may be Francisco Zuñíga, or
maybe dark-horses, Enrique Galván or Ryuichi Akiyama.
The bullpen is a
bit shaky, with youngsters like Taylor Longbottom, John Curnew, Nick Henneberry
and Kawanari Uchida getting their feet wet in the bigs. Longbottom is slated to
start the ’34 campaign in the closer role barring management moves.
CATCHING
Addy de Zeeuw is
the lone bright spot at the position, but that is very bright. A solid .280
hitter, with adequate defense, the former rule 5 pickup is guaranteed the
starting role. His backups will be a motley mix of career minor-leaguers, but a
recent trade will bring Toshio Siriashi from SoCal into the system, and he
looks to be the best of a meager bunch. Ron Marshall is the interim backup
solution.
INFIELD
The Hops lost
Taniguchi to free agency, so look for RF Jejomar Butardo to move into the infield
with what is looking like an interesting crowd in the OF. Second base is solid
with veteran Akira Kato while Sean Hayward waits in the wings. Bian has been
discussed at the hot corner as a once and future star. Shortstop had injury
issues, but youngster Manny Rios stepped up big when Rosa succumbed to the
broken kneecap. Andy Hegarty and Landon Carmichael will be in the mix soon, so
the infield is looking young and fast for years to come.
OUTFIELD
Robbie Colwill,
Arias, and a host of middling names like Trude, Zeller, Atilano, Moreno, Rivzi,
will all vie for playing time. Colwill and Arias are bonafide stars, so the DH
and RF slots are open competitions.
FUTURE
The trade with
SoCal could be just the beginning this off-season. Though choosing not to
participate in what has historically been a lucrative avenue for the Hops, the
Rule V draft, the Hops were not too dismayed at the prospects lost, contrary to
the national press. Free agent and waiver wire work is definitely in the cards.
.500 is the goal
for ’34, and motto for the campaign, “Sipping Desire”, also a new featured beer
at the Brew Stade, will be the phrase going forward.
