MLB Preview 2015: San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres 2014 Record: 77-85
Team Overview:
The San Diego Padres made a plethora of moves and they announced they are coming for the NLs’ best. With five new starters in the lineup and two in the rotation there is huge margin of error when gauging how this team will gel together.
The biggest additions in the lineup are obvious in the brand new outfield. All three every day starters were acquired and two big name vets Justin Upton and Matt Kemp put an immediate punch in the middle of the Padres lineup. They both come off 20+ home run seasons, and while Kemp has his injury concerns I think it has only affected his base stealing on offense. Upton is in his prime and gives the Padres something strong to build on for the next 3-4 years. Neither is at their best in the defensive department and Wil Meyers the third guy acquired will have to man center. At the plate he has upside of being a former top prospect. His second half debut in 2013 showed upside, but injuries in 2014 showed concerns. When looking at his full career he has never played a full season. Luckily for them they have the depth of Cameron Maybin, and Will Venable. Maybin probably has more concern than Myers, but Venable may be relied on because while he is not a fond hitting option, his defensive attributes bring something that the three starters seem to lack.
Carlos Quentin is another outfield option, but with a crowded one he has shifted to first base. He will look to platoon Yonder Alonso, but at age 32 and being injury prone as well, it may be down to Alosno at first. Alonso is a pretty average option and luckily they can get the power from the outfield, because when Quentin misses time there is a lack of power in the first base position. Young up and comers Will Middlebrooks, and Jedd Gyorko can hope to give the infield more pop at the plate, but neither has put in a full season yet due to a plethora of injuries. Gyorko has shown power, but a low average, and Middlebrooks in pretty unproven in the MLB at this point. Amarista and Clint Barmers can share shortstop, and give the whole entire lineup the defensive leaders they need. Derrek Norris is the last acquired in the entire lineup at catcher and he is a good bat, but not the best defensive catcher either.
Luckily for the Padres they bring in a strong rotation to help the team. James Shields was acquired to lead the team and with post-season experience with two teams he is tough to doubt. He is a guy who can every night give you good to above average pitching for 6-9 innings and that is what every team needs. Also at age 33 he can now bring the two emerging pitchers the team had found last season. Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner both have high upside and are in their prime, and I would say Ross has broken out as strong number two and a potential top option. Casher would come in as a strong number three and that is a rotation that anyone can like. Adding Ian Kennedy and Brandon Morrow to round out the rotation makes it a deep one. That is exactly where you want these two, and while both have their injury questions, they can save a bullpen as a whole staff. That is key, as well as the fact that they have Odrisamer Despaigne, Robbie Erln, and Case Kelly who can either lead the bullpen, or start in the minors as injury insurance. The depth as well as the top gives this team contention for 2014.
What To Watch For?
The Padres may be ready for the a run at an NL pennant, and it seems that the farm system will be relied on to answer some of these questions. Guys like Corey Sansenberger, Taylor Lindsey, and Tommy Medica, and Rymer Liriano can all get playing time in the MLB this year. Sansenberger, and Lindsey can play sooner than later due to Gyorko, and Middlebrooks injury concerns. Medica can also get time at first as a right-handed bat with the concerns of a healthy Carlos Quentin. Liriano can join a stacked outfield, but may just learn and play AAA for as long as possible. It is nice that with the questions there may be options in the farm system. This is without mention that Yangervis Solarte can be a utility type player, but I would sense that at some point, some of these young players would get some time.
Where Do They Rank?
It is safe to say this team is relying on Kemp and Upton. Kemp has higher questions but you cannot discredit eithers credentials. Also the additon of James Shields put this team right in contention. It will be interesting to see what kind of team turns out from all the moves, but I would guess they come along as the season goes on. I don’t think they can quite catch the Dodgers, but I think they can push for the wild card and will put them 2nd in the division.
