The Detroit Tigers acquired TJ Hopkins, a former outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, via waivers from the SF Giants on Tuesday. The Giants had obtained Hopkins in an offseason trade with the Reds but designated him for assignment following their acquisition of Otto Lopez from the Blue Jays.
Turning 27 last month, Hopkins is coming off a highly productive minor league season, where he excelled with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, batting .308/.411/.514 with impressive stats across the board. This performance earned him his first call-up to the majors.
However, Hopkins struggled to maintain his form against major league pitching, recording only seven hits in 44 plate appearances with the Reds, primarily singles. Drafted by the Reds in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft from South Carolina, Hopkins progressed swiftly through the minors despite the setback of the canceled 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite his potential, the Reds delayed promoting Hopkins due to the presence of other promising outfield prospects. He eventually made his way to Triple-A in 2022 after a successful stint in Double-A, where he demonstrated his abilities with a .255/.320/.436 line in 103 plate appearances.
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Hopkins possesses strong athleticism and speed, though he hasn’t translated these attributes into significant defensive or baserunning impact. While primarily a corner outfielder, he demonstrated competency in both left and right field during his brief tenure in the majors.
With the Tigers, Hopkins sees a clearer path to playing time compared to his time with the Giants, as they have fewer right-handed hitting outfielders on their Opening Day roster, potentially offering him an opportunity to earn a more prominent role with a strong showing in spring training.
