San Diego Preview 2024

Hops Preview 2024

San Diego, coming off their first winning record since 2019, has high hopes for a very competitive division in 2024. Few changes were made in the off-season, though management has said there was a lot of interest in top names, Lebel and Tosewell. The international flavor of the organization is one of its strengths, as the scouting department has found prospects from all over the globe, including nations not known for baseball like South Africa, India, and Pakistan. Four of the team stars are from Canada, Justin Davis, Kyle Reader, Terrence Sepkiechler and Goldi Lebel. The major league roster includes natives of Venezuela, Japan, Taiwan, South Africa, Dominican Republic, England, Mexico, Cuba, and a few from Texas.

Starting Pitching

Led by Mal Tosewell, coming off a 20-6 campaign, this is a solid corps despite the season ending injury to Francisco Rolón. After the premier southpaw, Tosewell, expect to see youngster Jin-Song Cheung, only 23, but already considered a leader. The middle of the rotation goes back to the left side with veteran Tadusake Kato and his nasty changeup. Short in stature, but long on experience, Kazuhiko Kanno holds down the fourth spot in the rotation. The rotation finishes with another fireballing veteran, Bill Baker.

Luis Sandoval is first up from the pen should the Hops need an emergency starter. There are a number of solid, if not spectacular, arms in the minors, including Kendrick Dobson and the intriguing lefty, Salah Bin-Atif.

Bullpen

Bob Moore, picked up in a trade with Duke City late last season, saved seven games in spring training to take control of the San Diego ninth innings. Henry McGowan is the main setup man from the right side, and had seventeen saves in ’23. The surprise of the spring, international free agent, Ajdir Kasakya, from South Africa, joins the big league roster as the lefty setup man. He posted a sub 1.00 ERA in the spring and showed the team that he belongs with his passion for the game.

Former closer Ed Downing (199 career saves) anchors the middle of the bullpen along with Ivan Garcia, Jorge Ortiz and the aforementioned Luis Sandoval.

The minor leagues offer some intriguing prospects led by AAA closer, Alonso Esquivel, and AA closer, Javier Galindo.

Catcher

Goldi Lebel has been the starter the last two seasons, but he is expected to see more time at shortstop this season. As a result, Antonio Rojas will have the bulk of the starts behind the plate, backed up by the effervescent Morgan Cairns. This is a thin position in the organization with no real future star in the wings.

First Base

Kyle Reader, two time ABL batting champion, moves from the outfield to first base. He is backed by Roberto Afilhado now that Joe Calhoun was placed on waivers this week. The only prospect of note is years away in A, Susumu Yamamoto.

Second Base

Young prospect, Gerard Leeder moves from shortstop to second to make room for Lebel. He is backed by veterans Jorge Castillo, Carlos Gamboa, and Joe Frost, all capable at a number of infield positions. Rocky Banks and Paul Miller are both in AAA and may see time at the keystone this season. If Spencer Meaker can improve with the bat, he is the slickest fielder in the minors.

Third Base

Terrence Sepkiechler plays every infield position well, but is most fond of the hot corner, where he will see most of his playing time in 2024. He is a tremendous hitter with a lifetime .307 average and .893 OPS. Besides the backup infielders, the Canadian Cannon is being pushed from the minors by Miller, and Pakistan native, Waqar Kharoti, though he is only 19.

Shortstop

Long a troubled spot in the Hops infield, Goldi Lebel hopes to solidify the position in 2024. Already a Gold Glove winner at catcher, he displayed great acumen for the infield during the spring. One of the top prospects in the organization is AAA shortstop San-Pao Chio.

Outfield

From left to right, the normal grouping will be Ricardo Romo, a .336 career hitter who hopes to continue his early success in the ABL, Carlos Avila, a two time All-Star, and Tom Cassidy, a solid player with some pop. Justin Davis, career .288/.378/.444, and Kyle Reader are also in the mix, the former probably more of a DH, but a good corner OFer, while Reader also plays the corners.

Jejomar Butardo is an ABL top-ten prospect in the minors, and is only 21, while Shunsu Fukuda and Zhao-Ying Gai are big bats lurking in AA.