SeaWolves manager Tony Cappuccilli had enough of facing Zyhir Hope last season.
At the time, Cappuccilli was managing West Michigan. Hope had 75 plate appearances against the White Caps for the Great Lakes Loons.
“It was awful. I hated it and I didn’t like it at all,” Cappuccilli said about facing Hope. “We faced him 75 times and it was 75 times we didn’t really enjoy it. I’m really glad he’s wearing our uniform. He’s a really good baseball player.”
Hope, 21, joined the SeaWolves on Tuesday to make his debut in the Tigers organization. Hope was part of a prospect package in a blockbuster trade deal involving the Dodgers for Tarik Skubal.
As a result, Hope is now the No. 2 prospect in the Detroit organization, according to MLB.com. With Max Clark being the No. 1 prospect and with the Tigers, Hope could move into the top spot in the coming weeks.
“I didn’t know what to feel in the moment, but I’m excited to be here,” Hope said about the trade. “The Tigers did an amazing job with my travel and I’m just breathing and taking it all in.”
Hope batted second and played right field on Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to Altoona. He received a rousing ovation each time he stepped into the batter’s box. He lined out to center field on a ball that was 105 mph off the bat in the first inning before drawing a walk, popping up and lining out again in his next three plate appearances.
Hope grew up in a military family and moved around five times when he was younger. He was born in Chesapeake, Va., and went to Colonial Forge High School in Virginia. He was taken in the 11th round in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs and signed to join the organization instead of going to North Carolina.
He had a slow first year as a pro because of a rib injury and was traded to the Dodgers with another prospect for second baseman Michael Busch and pitcher Yency Almonte.
“It’s a business, man, it’s a business,” Hope said. “I understand that in my mind. Wherever I am, I’m going to continue to have faith and play ball.”
Hope spent most of 2024 in Single-A and reached Double-A Tulsa at the end of 2025. He was hitting .264 with 23 home runs at Tulsa this season before the trade.
“I love being back on the east side of the country,” Hope said with a big smile. “I’m excited to be in Erie and this team has a lot of talent. I’m blessed to be here and excited to see what the future holds.”
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Zyhir Hope ‘excited to see what the future holds’ in Tigers’ system
Reporting by Tom Reisenweber, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tom Reisenweber, Erie Times-News | USA TODAY Network
