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Tyler Hopman - Ambidextrous pitcher, New Jersey

Tyler Hopman
Tyler Hopman - Kean University

Hometown: Matawan, NJ
Old Bridge High School, New Jersey

Class: 2015
Team: Old Bridge Knights

 College: Kean University, NJ
- football and baseball


Positions: LHP, CF - right-handed
Height/Weight: 6'5" 190 lbs
Bats: Right
Throws: Both (Ambidextrous)
Velocity: 82 mph (7/4/2014 perfectgame.org)

 Sports: WR Football

2015 HS stats
5-3, 59 IP, 2.02 ERA

About Tyler Hopman
Tyler Hopman is a switch pitcher who plays for Old Bridge High School Knights in New Jersey. In an interview, he said that he feels a lot stronger throwing lefty.

When not pitching, Hopman plays center field right-handed. He bats exclusively from the left side.

As a kid, he started throwing with both hands when he was 5-years-old. His dad suggested that he should throw 20 righty and 20 lefty each day. 

 Hopman pitched right- and left-handed in Little League. 


Old Bridge’s Hopman is HNT’s 2015 Postseason Baseball Player of Year

The remarkable run of Old Bridge High School’s Tyler Hopman in the NJSIAA and Greater Middlesex Conference tournaments came to an unceremonious end with a state Group IV semifinal loss to Williamstown in which the ambidextrous senior was saddled with a deceptive loss.

Hopman, a senior pitcher and second baseman who has been named the Home News Tribune’s Postseason Player of the Year, was consistent on the mound throughout 2015 but found his own at the plate in the playoffs.

After batting ninth and even being DH’d for on occasion during the regular season, Hopman entered the Central Group IV final against Hunterdon Central batting .571 (8-for-14) in the NJSIAA Tournament with two homers (including a game-tying solo blast against Jackson Memorial), two doubles, four runs scored (including the game-winner in the sectional quarterfinals) and three RBI.


Ambidextrous pitcher to face boisterous foe in NJSIAA Group IV baseball semifinal
By Greg Tufaro, MyCentralJersey.com, 30 May 2015

With an ambidextrous pitcher taking the mound against an opponent known to chatter incessantly throughout the game, expect the entertainment value of Tuesday's NJSIAA Group IV semifinal between Old Bridge and Williamstown to match the quality of play on the field.

The South Jersey champion Braves (20-5-1) will start ace Denny Bentley, a junior lefthander with a 9-0 record who several Division I schools, including Penn State University, is recruiting, against senior Tyler Hopman, a St. Peter's College signee who can throw with either arm.
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Magic of Hopman, Cruz lift Old Bridge to CJG4 baseball title
By Greg Tufaro, MyCentralJersey.com, 29 May 2015

Just when it appeared the magic in Tyler Hopman's bat and Luis Cruz's right arm may have run out, the sectional playoff heroes continued to find ways to extend the Old Bridge High School baseball team's storybook postseason.


Old Bridge baseball uses team effort to reach sectional final

By Greg Tufaro, MyCentralJersey.com, 27 May 2015

Ambidextrous hurler Tyler Hopman (5-3, 59 IP, 2.02 ERA) has emerged as the team’s postseason ace, defeating Central Group I finalist Middlesex in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament quarterfinals, beating GMCT runner-up Sayreville in the opening round of the sectionals and pitching eight brilliant frames against Jackson Memorial.

Hopman has also exceeded expectations at the plate, batting .571 (8-for-14) in the NJSIAA Tournament with two homers (including a game-tying solo blast against Jackson Memorial), two doubles, four runs scored (including the game-winner in the sectional quarterfinals) and three RBI.

“Hopman has been absolutely awesome,” Freel Sr. said. “Pitching-wise he’s pretty much put us on his back and carried us. You couldn’t ask for more from the kid.”

In addition to Hopman, who batted ninth and was occasionally DH’d for during the early part of the season but now leads the team with a .391 average, Jimmy Freel Jr. has also turned things around at the plate.


Old Bridge baseball team to rely on pitching, defense

By WARREN RAPPLEYEA, gmnews.com, 19 Mar 2015


Ambidextrous senior Tyler Hopman also returns to give the Knights a solid one-two combination on the hill. Hopman went 5-2 a year ago with an ERA just above 3.00. 

 Hopman will likely play first base when not pitching.

 * * *


Old Bridge freshman a switch-pitcher

May 4, 2012
mycentraljersey.com

Tyler Hopman
The lanky southpaw warming up in the Old Bridge High School baseball team’s bullpen looked just as impressive as the tall right-hander who followed an inning later.
Although neither reliever entered the game against Edison that April afternoon, Eagles assistant coach Rob Roma asked his counterpart about the two hurlers.
“I said, ‘You had two nice kids warming up: a righty and a lefty. What grades are they?’ ” Roma explained. “He goes, ‘No, man. That’s the same kid.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He says, ‘Same kid.’ I go, ‘Come on!’ He says, ‘No. He’s a freshman.’ ”


Old Bridge Knights - Freshman Team 2012

   1.79 ERA, 27.1 IP, 16 SO, 14 BB, 4 HBP
   in 12 games pitched

Tyler Hopman #6, Pitcher

17u Showcase Blue Summer 2013



   .345 BA, .367 OBP, 10 hits, 3 RBI, 5 Runs


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