TJ Hopkins’ time with the San Francisco Giants has come to an end, as the Detroit Tigers have claimed the outfielder via a waiver claim, as reported by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
SF Giants lose speedy outfielder on waivers to Detroit Tigers
It seems TJ Hopkins’ tenure with the San Francisco Giants ended almost as swiftly as it began. Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in December for cash considerations, he remained on the 40-man roster until being designated for assignment last week following the addition of Otto López in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
López, praised for his versatility and contact skills, presents a valuable asset to the Giants, particularly given their thin middle infield depth. There’s speculation he could secure a roster spot directly out of spring training, with Giants’ President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi speaking highly of him recently.
With an excess of outfielders, it made sense for the Giants to trim some depth, though they likely hoped Hopkins would clear waivers and stay with the organization as minor league support. Interestingly, the Tigers have now claimed two Giants players this offseason, which gains some attention considering Scott Harris, formerly the Giants’ general manager, now serves as the Tigers’ president of baseball operations.
Originally a ninth-round pick by the Reds in 2019 out of the University of South Carolina, Hopkins has shown promise in the minors, boasting a .275/.356/.463 line over four seasons, along with a 10.3 percent walk rate, 25.2 percent strikeout rate, and .188 ISO. While he displays occasional power, evidenced by reaching at least 15 home runs in each of the past two minor league seasons, his stint with the Reds at the major league level last year was challenging, with a dismal .398 OPS over 44 sporadic plate appearances.
Given the Tigers’ recent 78-win season, Hopkins stands a decent chance of earning a more substantial opportunity. For now, he’ll vie for a spot on the Tigers’ Opening Day roster, potentially serving as a depth option throughout the 2024 season.
