San Diego Hops 2034 mid-season PR

San Diego Hops mid-season PR

August 21, 2034

 (January 2018)

Pedro Alejo, 6-5, 225

Scan from sketchbook, January 12, 2018

This will be the basis of a more complete digital illustration, and more polished poem

No question in the minds of even the most optimistic Hops’ fans that this would be a rebuilding year, particularly after the first couple of months of the season. However, amidst the gloom engendered by a less than adequate pitching staff, there are some positive stories that wind their vines through the San Diego experience.

10-9 record in August, after an 11-11 July, meaning that the almost 20 under .500 record came in the early months of the season, and it may just be on the verge of righting itself. In that stretch, pitching improved a great deal, while hitting remains the strength of the team.

PITCHING

Jim Phillips, at 9-12, has the best record amongst starters. His ERA has dropped from 5.70 to 5.02 in a three game win streak. He also has a six game win streak this season, so hopefully he might make his way back to .500, and drop below 5.00 on the ERA side. Of course, his 12 losses rank him in the top ten league wide in the negative.

The rest of the rotation has been fairly hideous, or just plain broken or injured. John Curnew, 4-8, 5.17, Robinson Pedercini, out another month with hamstring issues, 6-10, 5.07, Alberto Rivera, 8-9, 5.90, Francisco Zúñiga, torn elbow tendon, on the 60 day DL, 3-5, 4.42, Prince Papenfuss, unclaimed after a waiver wire stint, 1-6, 8.82, Loeck Jurgens, 3-3, 6.13, and a few others, most notably, Ronaldo Teves, also on the 60 day DL, who only lasted 13 innings before tearing an elbow ligament.

In the bullpen, Mitsuzuka Koyama has been a pleasant surprise, going 8-6 with 21 saves, and a 3.03 ERA in his first year in the southland. Jeff Hodge carries a 3.25 ERA in over thirty innings. Rookie, Bruce Berardi has shown some flair in his four debut appearances. Taylor Longbottom has a lot of potential, but his 2-5 record and 6.61 ERA has led to more time in Coronado in AAA, than in San Diego. Naomi Kobayashi has picked up some wins in garbage time, and his inflated ERA of 5 plus is a result of five of his 24 games.

There might be some help in the minors, Fleury, Rodriguez, Akiyama, and Morgan are all in AAA ready for a shot. Ricky Alvarado and Jon Bender, are further away, while in the 22 under league, watch for Antonio Rios.

HITTING

The bats for San Diego continue to be their plus point. Ranking second in the RCL in hitting, OPS, third in runs, show that the stick side of the game is in good hands. Led by CF Martin Arias; .328, 3b An-yi Bian; .320 and Robby Colwill; .311, the trio ranks in the top ten in the league. Arias has 169 hits, Bian leads the team with 19 HRs and 73 RBIs, while Colwill is steady, and has swiped 21 bases.

Other contributors include new 1b Alexandru Curticapeanu, 18 HRs and 68 RBIs, and about to come off the DL, veteran Akira Kato, who at 35 is holding down the DH position with aplomb. Also showing some spunk at the plate is youngster, 2b Ross Bullmore, C Addy de Zeeuw, thriving in a platoon role with vet Ricardo Corte, infielders Manuel Rios and Sean Hayward, and an occasional blow from Motoki Hayakawa.

Disappointing seasons are coming from Lorenzo Atilano, Gerardo Rosa, Nadir Rizvi, Jejomar Butardo, and Jorge Moreno. All are over thirty, but it is hoped they are not quite done yet. If they are, watch for more time in the near future for the likes of Andy Hegarty, Tobias Zeiler, Sweet Spanker, London Carmichael, and Jamie DeWoody.

Names to watch in the future include C Ron Marshall, OF Jason Trude, OF Jeff Dotson, OF Antonio Carranza and potential future star, OF Mario Yescas.