When looking for a model of consistency, check Branyan Hoppe’s batting record through the first eight games of Hopewell Valley Central High School’s 2023 baseball season.
The junior went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored on opening day against West Windsor-Plainsboro South. From there, his average never went below .500, as he hit safely in six of the first eight games, scored runs in seven of them and drove in runs in four.
Hoppe’s 0-for-2 in an Apr. 18 loss to Robbinsville dropped him to an even .500 at 13-for-26. He led the Bulldogs in hits and runs (13) and was tied with Tyler Ottobre for team-lead in RBI with nine. He also stole six bases and drew five walks.
“Making my swing more simple really helped,” the left-handed batter said. “Instead of trying to do too much with the ball, I’m just staying within myself and good things come with that. I’ve also been working on staying behind the ball and hitting it the opposite way. If it is inside I’ll turn on it sometimes. But most of my hits are toward left field.”
His success is a far cry from the rightfielder’s sophomore campaign, when he made varsity but only received occasional starts and pinch-hitting appearances. The result was a .231 average with one extra base hit and one RBI, as opposed to this season’s four extra-base hits and .692 slugging percentage through the Bulldogs 5-3 start.
“I was really grateful and I felt lucky to be on varsity last year,” Hoppe said. “It’s something I always wanted since I was young. I think I just let it get into my head a little too much, which is a hard thing to overcome in baseball. I felt I had to do an insane amount to try and get a start.”
HVCHS coach Ken Harrison understood what his young player was going through.
“He goes in last year as a sophomore and is maybe playing for a senior who might have been struggling and I’m trying to give that person a rest,” Harrison said. “So he goes in and feels like ‘Oh, I’m competing with a senior, if I’m not producing I’m gonna be out of the lineup and he’ll be back in.’ When you’re getting spot starts like that there’s a little pressure like ‘I gotta produce or I’ll be out of the lineup.’ But this year, it’s a totally different story.”
Hoppe gives credit to Anderson and his coaching staff, who he said “are giving me the confidence I need. They prepared me for preseason throughout the winter. Last year it was a confidence thing, this year I have the confidence I needed.”
That was never an issue when Hoppe was excelling in the Hopewell youth baseball league. He played travel in Bordentown at age 12, and also played for Timberlane and Hopewell Post 339 before moving to the Diamondjacks last summer.
“Their coaches helped me prepare for the more upper levels,” Hoppe said.
Harrison noted that when Hoppe arrived as a freshman, the natural ability was evident, but he had to make the usual adjustments.
“The speed of the game is different,” the veteran coach said. “You’re playing with 18 year old kids who have been playing varsity for a while. Sometimes as a freshman and sophomore you’re not really used to that speed.
“It’s not for lack of talent. You just need experience. That’s the one thing you can’t teach as coaches. They gotta go out there and experience it for themselves. He got that year under his belt last year.”
Hoppe, who also plays defensive back and receiver for the football team, was a catcher up until high school. There was a logjam at that position when he arrived, so his new spot became right field.
“I still switch on and off to catching and outfield,” he said. “Catching is hard on your knees and your legs after catching a bunch of games in a week but it’s what you do, it’s your job.
“Playing outfield, there’s not as much wear and tear. Having the mixture between the two is nice. It gives your arm a break, it gives your legs a break and playing outfield you’re just catching some fly balls. But I’ve been wanting that fly ball (with a man on third) to see if I can do anything with my arm.”
And while Hoppe has turned it around offensively, it appeared that his bat might still be a problem in March.
“He struggled a little in the scrimmages,” Harrison said. “The first game it was like he flipped a switch and got into a different gear, and he’s been playing great ever since we started the regular season.
“He’s very athletic, and having a left-handed bat always helps. He’s been doing a really nice job. He’s been coming up clutch for us, too, in some big spots. He’s been batting third or fourth, depending on who’s in the lineup and he’s producing in key spots, not just when we’re up by seven.”
It’s what Harrison expects from his upperclassmen. He was patient with Hoppe’s scuffles as a sophomore, but wants production from his juniors and seniors.
Batting third or fourth means there are expectations to produce runs, and Branyan was meeting those demands in the season’s first weeks.
“I always thought I did decently well with pressure,” he said. “I try not to let it get to my head. I try to do what I can do, simple little basics, and good things will come from that.”
He also makes himself a tough out; as pitchers can’t put him away.
“He’s scrappy,” Harrison said. “You see him when he gets two strikes he’s up two inches on the bat. Oftentimes, some of his best swings are with two strikes, because he shortens up a little bit. But I like his toughness.”
Hoppe really bears down when he gets two strikes on him, Harrison said. “He hates striking out. He puts the ball in play. He just wants to do well,” he said.
And after a season of finding himself, Hoppe is now doing exactly what he wants.