When the Cincinnati Reds were in need of some right-handed hitting in their heavily left-handed outfield mix last season, they called upon TJ Hopkins, a former 9th round pick who’d been absolute mashing for AAA Louisville. When I say mashing, I mean mashing, too, as his season total for the Bats was a robust .308/.411/.518 in 393 PA.
Things didn’t hit the ground running for TJ at the big league level, however. In spotty playing time he managed just 7 hits in 41 AB, striking out 17 times against just a pair of walks in his time.