The Seattle Mariners made a small but intriguing move this afternoon, acquiring hard-throwing right-hander from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league catcher Luke Heyman. To open a 40-man roster spot for Hoppe, the Mariners designated left-hander Tayler Saucedo for assignment.
Hoppe, a sixth-round pick out of UNC-Greensboro in 2022, turns 27 next month and brings an impressive array of pitches. He features a 98 mph fastball that has touched 101, giving him the type of velocity teams covet in late-inning relievers. He also mixes in a 93 mph cutter, an 88 mph slider, and an 89 mph changeup—an arsenal with plenty of potential for refinement under Seattle’s pitching development system. While his 4.76 ERA in Triple-A last year doesn’t stand out, his underlying numbers are much stronger: a 3.83 FIP and a 27.9% strikeout rate. Simply reducing his cutter usage in favor of his more effective changeup could generate swift improvement.
Command remains his biggest obstacle. Hoppe’s control and precision are both below average, leaving him prone to walks and poorly located pitches. It isn’t disastrous, but it’s a clear area that needs work.
One notable detail: Hoppe releases the ball from an unusually high 72-inch release point. While not drastically above the league average of 69 inches, it stands out in a Mariners system that typically prefers lower-release arms.
To acquire Hoppe, Seattle sent out Luke Heyman, a 14th-round pick last summer from Florida who has yet to make his pro debut. Heyman has plus raw power and solid amateur pedigree, but his bat-to-ball skills are a concern. He likely would have ranked near the bottom of the Mariners’ top-30 prospect list.
For Boston, the move reflects a roster crunch. For Seattle, it’s a calculated upside play. Hoppe still has all three minor league options remaining and can be parked in Triple-A if needed while the Mariners work to sharpen his command. If their development plan pays off, they may have landed a future late-inning reliever at a bargain price.