Hops mid-season 2028

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 6^th 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.