The Giants announced Tuesday that they have signed an outfielder TJ Hopkins from the Reds for cash or a player to be named later. Cincinnati designated Hopkins for assignment last week.
Hopkins, who turns 27 next month, made his MLB debut last season and went 7-of-41 (all singles) with two walks and 17 strikeouts in 44 plate appearances. It was hardly a flashy debut, but the 2019 ninth-rounder's performance at Triple-A Louisville was far more intriguing. In his first full season in the top minor leagues, Hopkins posted a robust .308/.411/.514 batting line with a 14% walk rate, 23.9% strikeout rate, 16 home runs, 18 doubles, one Triple and a pair of steals.
Hopkins has played primarily left field in his professional career, but also has plenty of experience in right and center field. He was an average or better hitter at every minor league stop and steadily improved both his walk and strikeout rates as he climbed the minor league rankings. Hopkins was in the first of three minor league option years last season, leaving him with two remaining. He will give the Giants a right-handed depth hitter to complement a heavily left-handed fielding mix.
Currently, the Giants plan to have left-handed hitters Michael Conforto And Mike Yastrzemski in the outside corners, where they flank the newly signed midfielder Young Hoo Lee. The KBO star – another lefty – signed a six-year contract worth $113 million just last week. Right-handers are also present in the outfield mix in San Francisco Mitch Haniger, Austin Slater, Luis Matos, Heliot Ramos and left-handed Blake Sabol And Wade Meckler. Haniger, who is entering the second season of a three-year deal, could play designated hitter for quite some time. As a backup catcher and outfielder, Sabol could see big league time.