Tuesday June 30, 2009
Adrian Gonzalez was injured sliding into 3rd base and was forced to leave the game in the 4th inning of the San Diego Padres 4-3 win over the Houston Astros at Petco Park tonight.
While we still do not know the extent of the injury that the Padres are calling a strain, losing Gonzalez would be the capper on a season that has been plagued by injuries to key players such as Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Scott Hairston and Cha Seung Baek. The Padres currently have 9 players on the DL and are on pace to equal last seasons MLB record 1244 player days on the DL.
On the bright side, David Eckstein went 3 for 4 and improved his batting average to .274 and starting pitcher Josh Banks went 7 full innings giving up just 5 hits and 3 runs while striking out 4 in his first start and win of the season.
Heath Bell pitched 1 1/3 innings for his NL leading 22nd save.
In other Padres News:
Shawn Hill had the 2nd Tommy John surgery of his career and is likely out for the rest of 2009 and the entire 2010 season. Tommy John surgery is only effective 25% of the time when it has to be repeated and the oft injured Hill may have pitched for his last time professionally.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Baek on the road back
Monday June 29, 2009
Padres pitcher Cha Seung Baek is once again n the road back to the starting rotation.
After spending the entire season so far on the DL, Baek joined the Padres in San Diego today and threw a bullpen session. If he rebounds well from it, he could start a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday July 11th.
Baek, who was expected to break spring camp as the #3 starter in the Padres rotation, went on the 15 day DL on March 30th and then was transfered to the 60 day DL on May 15th after suffering a setback in a minor league start for Portland on May 9th.
If all goes well Baek could join the Padres as soon as the Nationals series in late July.
By early August the Padres starting rotation could be Peavy, Young, Correia, Gaudin, Baek. It sure makes you wonder what if.
In other Padres injury news:
Reliever Luke Gregerson also threw a bullpen session at Petco today and is expected to start a rehab assignment by this weekend.
Padres pitcher Cha Seung Baek is once again n the road back to the starting rotation.
After spending the entire season so far on the DL, Baek joined the Padres in San Diego today and threw a bullpen session. If he rebounds well from it, he could start a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday July 11th.
Baek, who was expected to break spring camp as the #3 starter in the Padres rotation, went on the 15 day DL on March 30th and then was transfered to the 60 day DL on May 15th after suffering a setback in a minor league start for Portland on May 9th.
If all goes well Baek could join the Padres as soon as the Nationals series in late July.
By early August the Padres starting rotation could be Peavy, Young, Correia, Gaudin, Baek. It sure makes you wonder what if.
In other Padres injury news:
Reliever Luke Gregerson also threw a bullpen session at Petco today and is expected to start a rehab assignment by this weekend.
Quality Start Wasted. Pads fall 3-1 to 'Stros
Monday June 29, 2009
The San Diego Padres wasted a quality start from Josh Geer tonight, eaking out just 2 hits against Roy Oswalt in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Petco Park tonight.
Geer threw 7 full innings giving up 7 hits and 3 runs while walking none. In a 98 pitch effort, Geer gave up just one extra base hit, a solo shot by future HOF catcher Ivan Rodriguez in the 5th inning. A good effort for the Padres #5 starter.
Unfortunately the Padres hitters could manage just 2 hits against Roy Oswalt. In fact if it wasn't for a hit batsman, an intentional walk to Adrian Gonzalez and a wild pitch in the 4th, the Padres would have been shut out.
Gonzalez walked twice for his MLB leading 62nd and 63rd walks of the season.
The only Padres batter that looked comfortable at the plate is Rule V draft pick Everth Cabrera who went 1 for 3 with a double to left in the 3rd.
Josh Banks makes his first start of the season against Mike Hampton tomorrow at 7:05 pm at Petco. See you there.
The San Diego Padres wasted a quality start from Josh Geer tonight, eaking out just 2 hits against Roy Oswalt in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Petco Park tonight.
Geer threw 7 full innings giving up 7 hits and 3 runs while walking none. In a 98 pitch effort, Geer gave up just one extra base hit, a solo shot by future HOF catcher Ivan Rodriguez in the 5th inning. A good effort for the Padres #5 starter.
Unfortunately the Padres hitters could manage just 2 hits against Roy Oswalt. In fact if it wasn't for a hit batsman, an intentional walk to Adrian Gonzalez and a wild pitch in the 4th, the Padres would have been shut out.
Gonzalez walked twice for his MLB leading 62nd and 63rd walks of the season.
The only Padres batter that looked comfortable at the plate is Rule V draft pick Everth Cabrera who went 1 for 3 with a double to left in the 3rd.
Josh Banks makes his first start of the season against Mike Hampton tomorrow at 7:05 pm at Petco. See you there.
Padres 2009 Draft Picks signed to date
Monday June 29, 2009
To date the Padres have done an extremely good job of getting their 2009 college draft picks signed, but none of their high school picks have yet to be inked.
On June 24th the Padres announced they had signed 9 players over the past week including:
3rd, Jerry Sullivan, RHP, Oral Roberts U
5th, Luke Hagerty, C, U Miami
7th, Miles Mikolas, RHP, Nova Southeastern
10th, Ryan Hinson, LHP, Clemson
5 other unnamed players also signed.
13th, Matt Vern, 1B
14th, Nicholas Greenwood, LHP
31st, Matthew Jackson, RHP
33rd, Jonathan Berger, RHP
36th, - Dylan Tonneson, C
Signed prior to this past week:
8th, Nate Frieman, 1B
9th, Chris Fetter, RHP
12th, Brayden Drake, 3B
16th, Griffin Benedict, C
19th, Chris Tremblay, SS
22nd, Cody Decker, 1B
23rd, Jeffrey Ibarra, LHP
25th, Ty Wright, OF
26th, Kevin Winn, 2B
27th Cameron Monger, CF
28th, Vince Belnome, 2B
30th, Wande Olabisi, OF
31st, Matt Jackson, RHP
32nd, David Erickson, RHP
33rd, Jon Berger, RHP
38th, Kyle Loretelli, CF
39th, Chris Ahearn, SS
40th, Thomas Porter, RHP
43rd, Chadd Hartman, OF
44th, Ryan Skube, 2B
49th, Brett Holland, RHP
50th, Brett Basham, C
MLB.com is reporting that the Padres have now signed 6 of their top 10 and 31 of 50 players drafted.
That still leaves 1, 2, 4 and 6 left to sign out of the top 10 and they are all HS players.
I only know of one player that has said they are definitely passing on signing, Rey Delphey, a RHP out of Braulio Alonso HS in Tampa who was taken in the 42nd round.
To date the Padres have done an extremely good job of getting their 2009 college draft picks signed, but none of their high school picks have yet to be inked.
On June 24th the Padres announced they had signed 9 players over the past week including:
3rd, Jerry Sullivan, RHP, Oral Roberts U
5th, Luke Hagerty, C, U Miami
7th, Miles Mikolas, RHP, Nova Southeastern
10th, Ryan Hinson, LHP, Clemson
5 other unnamed players also signed.
13th, Matt Vern, 1B
14th, Nicholas Greenwood, LHP
31st, Matthew Jackson, RHP
33rd, Jonathan Berger, RHP
36th, - Dylan Tonneson, C
Signed prior to this past week:
8th, Nate Frieman, 1B
9th, Chris Fetter, RHP
12th, Brayden Drake, 3B
16th, Griffin Benedict, C
19th, Chris Tremblay, SS
22nd, Cody Decker, 1B
23rd, Jeffrey Ibarra, LHP
25th, Ty Wright, OF
26th, Kevin Winn, 2B
27th Cameron Monger, CF
28th, Vince Belnome, 2B
30th, Wande Olabisi, OF
31st, Matt Jackson, RHP
32nd, David Erickson, RHP
33rd, Jon Berger, RHP
38th, Kyle Loretelli, CF
39th, Chris Ahearn, SS
40th, Thomas Porter, RHP
43rd, Chadd Hartman, OF
44th, Ryan Skube, 2B
49th, Brett Holland, RHP
50th, Brett Basham, C
MLB.com is reporting that the Padres have now signed 6 of their top 10 and 31 of 50 players drafted.
That still leaves 1, 2, 4 and 6 left to sign out of the top 10 and they are all HS players.
I only know of one player that has said they are definitely passing on signing, Rey Delphey, a RHP out of Braulio Alonso HS in Tampa who was taken in the 42nd round.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Two Straight Wins in Interleague!
Sunday June 28, 2009
The San Diego Padres got the 2nd straight outstanding start from a beleaguered pitching staff tonight in Arlington against the Texas Rangers to win their first series in interleague play this season.
Padres starter Chad Gaudin got his 4th win of the season with a masterful 1 hit performance. Gaudin who has been plagued by walks this year gave up only 2 walks and 1 hit in 8 full innings.
Gaudin combined with Heath Bell to shut out the American League's best hitting team for 2-0 a victory.
Top prospects Kyle Blanks and Everth Cabrera continued to impress with Cabrera going 1 for 4 with a triple and a run scored and Blanks getting multiple hits for the 2nd straight game.
Scott Hairston broke out of a 2 for 22 slump going 3 for 4 with a solo home run and 2 rbi.
One of the most interesting things in the game for me was seeing Chase Headley swipe his team leading 7th stolen base. For a guy that often looks so slow getting to balls in left field to have 7 stolen bases is just amazing to me.
Interleague is over for the season and the 5-10 record is actually pretty good for the Padres. Now they come back home for 3 series against NL opponents starting with 4 games against the Houston Astros, 3 each against NL West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers (with Manny Ramirez returning from a 50 game suspension for steroid use) and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The San Diego Padres got the 2nd straight outstanding start from a beleaguered pitching staff tonight in Arlington against the Texas Rangers to win their first series in interleague play this season.
Padres starter Chad Gaudin got his 4th win of the season with a masterful 1 hit performance. Gaudin who has been plagued by walks this year gave up only 2 walks and 1 hit in 8 full innings.
Gaudin combined with Heath Bell to shut out the American League's best hitting team for 2-0 a victory.
Top prospects Kyle Blanks and Everth Cabrera continued to impress with Cabrera going 1 for 4 with a triple and a run scored and Blanks getting multiple hits for the 2nd straight game.
Scott Hairston broke out of a 2 for 22 slump going 3 for 4 with a solo home run and 2 rbi.
One of the most interesting things in the game for me was seeing Chase Headley swipe his team leading 7th stolen base. For a guy that often looks so slow getting to balls in left field to have 7 stolen bases is just amazing to me.
Interleague is over for the season and the 5-10 record is actually pretty good for the Padres. Now they come back home for 3 series against NL opponents starting with 4 games against the Houston Astros, 3 each against NL West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers (with Manny Ramirez returning from a 50 game suspension for steroid use) and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Just when you thought you have seen it all
Sunday June 28, 2009
The Lake Elsinore Storm beat the High Desert Mavericks 33-18 tonight in Adelanto.
Yes, you read that right. 33-18.
The Mavericks starting pitcher Nate Adcock went only 2/3 of an inning giving up 8 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. By the end of the 4th inning the California league 1st half champion Mavericks were down 16-3.
OUCH!
9 Storm players were on base 5 or more times.
Storm pitchers did not fair a lot better though. Starting pitcher Jeremy McBryde gave up 11 runs on 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
The Lake Elsinore Storm beat the High Desert Mavericks 33-18 tonight in Adelanto.
Yes, you read that right. 33-18.
The Mavericks starting pitcher Nate Adcock went only 2/3 of an inning giving up 8 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. By the end of the 4th inning the California league 1st half champion Mavericks were down 16-3.
OUCH!
9 Storm players were on base 5 or more times.
Storm pitchers did not fair a lot better though. Starting pitcher Jeremy McBryde gave up 11 runs on 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Correia looking like an Ace
Saturday June 27, 2009
San Diego Padres starter Kevin Correia threw 7 strong innings tonight giving up just 5 hits, 1 BB and 3 runs while striking out a career high 9. The bullpen got a much needed rest tonight with Mujica and Adams combining for 2 scoreless innings.
The bats came alive tonight with the Padres getting 7 runs on 16 hits with 6 of those runs coming by the 5th inning. The 5 through 9 hitters combined for 12 of hits with Kouzmanoff and Headley going 3 for 5.
The Padres top prospect, Kyle Blanks, went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi and just missed getting his 1st major league home run on a deep fly to straightaway center field.
Scott Hairston continued his hitting woes since coming off the DL going 0 for 5 tonight and 2 for 20 with 5 k's in 5 games. His BA for the season dropped below .300 for the 1st time since April 9th.
For the month of June, Kevin Correia has lowered his ERA more than 1 full point from 5.37 on June 1st to 4.23 after today's game. During that stretch he has had 5 straight quality starts and tonight was the only one in which he gave up 3 runs.
With both Peavy and Young expected to be out until after the All Star break, Correia is the Padres acting Ace and he sure is pitching like one this month.
San Diego Padres starter Kevin Correia threw 7 strong innings tonight giving up just 5 hits, 1 BB and 3 runs while striking out a career high 9. The bullpen got a much needed rest tonight with Mujica and Adams combining for 2 scoreless innings.
The bats came alive tonight with the Padres getting 7 runs on 16 hits with 6 of those runs coming by the 5th inning. The 5 through 9 hitters combined for 12 of hits with Kouzmanoff and Headley going 3 for 5.
The Padres top prospect, Kyle Blanks, went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 rbi and just missed getting his 1st major league home run on a deep fly to straightaway center field.
Scott Hairston continued his hitting woes since coming off the DL going 0 for 5 tonight and 2 for 20 with 5 k's in 5 games. His BA for the season dropped below .300 for the 1st time since April 9th.
For the month of June, Kevin Correia has lowered his ERA more than 1 full point from 5.37 on June 1st to 4.23 after today's game. During that stretch he has had 5 straight quality starts and tonight was the only one in which he gave up 3 runs.
With both Peavy and Young expected to be out until after the All Star break, Correia is the Padres acting Ace and he sure is pitching like one this month.
Next!
Saturday June 27, 2009
So who is next for the ailing Padres starting rotation?
1st Wade LeBlanc gets pounded and demoted.
Then Walter Silva proves he is not a major league pitcher by getting absolutely obliterated byt he Rangers.
So who will fill those two spots in the rotation now that we know those two can't do it?
Josh Banks? Tim Stauffer? Cesar Ramos?
Or do the Padres call up top prospect Mat Latos from AA?
So who is next for the ailing Padres starting rotation?
1st Wade LeBlanc gets pounded and demoted.
Then Walter Silva proves he is not a major league pitcher by getting absolutely obliterated byt he Rangers.
So who will fill those two spots in the rotation now that we know those two can't do it?
Josh Banks? Tim Stauffer? Cesar Ramos?
Or do the Padres call up top prospect Mat Latos from AA?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wade LeBlanc gets pounded and then demoted.
Thursday June 25, 2009
Wade LeBlanc got pounded in 1 1/3 innings against the Mariners in Seattle today and then was optioned to AAA Portland. It may just be LeBlanc's last hurrah. He has had two short stints at pitching in the major leagues and been pounded in each game this year and last.
Luis Perdomo came off the 15 Day DL to take his place on the 25 man roster.
The Padres next game is in Arlington against the Texas Rangers on Friday.
Wade LeBlanc got pounded in 1 1/3 innings against the Mariners in Seattle today and then was optioned to AAA Portland. It may just be LeBlanc's last hurrah. He has had two short stints at pitching in the major leagues and been pounded in each game this year and last.
Luis Perdomo came off the 15 Day DL to take his place on the 25 man roster.
The Padres next game is in Arlington against the Texas Rangers on Friday.
NL West now NL's Best
Thursday June 25, 2009
Don't look now, but the division of baseball once called the NL Worst is now the National League's winningest division.
Led by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NL West leads all NL divisions with a .515 winning percentage (184-173). The 6 team NL Central is next at .497 (210-212) and the much lauded NL East, home of the defending World Series Champion Phillies, brings up the rear at .466 (164-188)
Only the AL East, home of the Yankees, Red Sox and defending AL Pennant winner Rays have a better winning percentage than the NL West at .538 (184-173)
Don't look now, but the division of baseball once called the NL Worst is now the National League's winningest division.
Led by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the NL West leads all NL divisions with a .515 winning percentage (184-173). The 6 team NL Central is next at .497 (210-212) and the much lauded NL East, home of the defending World Series Champion Phillies, brings up the rear at .466 (164-188)
Only the AL East, home of the Yankees, Red Sox and defending AL Pennant winner Rays have a better winning percentage than the NL West at .538 (184-173)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Padres on pace to match MLB record for injuries
Wednesday June 24, 2009
According to Paul DePodesta of the San Diego Padres front office in his blog "It Might be Dangerous...You Go First", the Padres are on pace to tie their own MLB record for player days on the DL.
Depodesta said:
10 players on the DL means 10 minor league players are on the major league roster.
507 player days on the DL in 66 games means the Padres are on pace for 1244 player days on the DL in 2009.
Does that number sound familiar?
1244 is the MLB record number of Player days on the DL that the Padres recorded in the 99 loss 2008 season.
The Padres already have the record, the 2nd most injuries and the 3rd most injuries in a season. If this year ends over 1000 player days on the DL, the Padres will have recorded the 4 seasons with the most injuries in baseball history AND they will have done that ALL in this decade.
You have to wonder how much of that is attributable to the trainer and strength coaches.
Some injuries are accidents, but the plethora of injuries to pitchers and injuries to tendons and other soft tissue can be blamed on improper or over conditioning.
In my opinion its time to take a much closer look at the the staff responsible for the Padres conditioning.
According to Paul DePodesta of the San Diego Padres front office in his blog "It Might be Dangerous...You Go First", the Padres are on pace to tie their own MLB record for player days on the DL.
Depodesta said:
"10 players on the Major League DL: Cha Seung Baek, Cliff Floyd, Luke
Gregerson, Scott Hairston (starting rehab in Lake Elsinore this
weekend), Shawn Hill, Nick Hundley, Jake Peavy, Luis Perdomo, Chris
Young, and Mark Worrell. As a team we've now amassed 507 DL days, and
the season is only 76 days old. In fact, we've had six or more players
on the DL on 61 of the 76 days."
10 players on the DL means 10 minor league players are on the major league roster.
507 player days on the DL in 66 games means the Padres are on pace for 1244 player days on the DL in 2009.
Does that number sound familiar?
1244 is the MLB record number of Player days on the DL that the Padres recorded in the 99 loss 2008 season.
The Padres already have the record, the 2nd most injuries and the 3rd most injuries in a season. If this year ends over 1000 player days on the DL, the Padres will have recorded the 4 seasons with the most injuries in baseball history AND they will have done that ALL in this decade.
You have to wonder how much of that is attributable to the trainer and strength coaches.
Some injuries are accidents, but the plethora of injuries to pitchers and injuries to tendons and other soft tissue can be blamed on improper or over conditioning.
In my opinion its time to take a much closer look at the the staff responsible for the Padres conditioning.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Padres make LOTS of Roster Moves Today
Friday June 19, 2009
The San Diego Padres made a number of roster moves today.
Lets start with the big ones.
1B/LF Kyle Blanks was called up.
DH/PH Cliff Floyd was placed on the 60 day DL which removes him from the 40 man roster.
SS Everth Cabrera was taken off the DL.
SS Josh Wilson was waived, and claimed by the Seattle Mariners.
C Nick Hundley was placed on the 15 day DL.
C Eliezer Alfonso was called up to replace Hundley.
AAA pitcher Arturo Lopez was waived to make room for Alfonso and was claimed by the New York Mets.
One more move will have to be made next week when Hairston is called up. Venable may be the one sent down unless a trade is made.
The San Diego Padres made a number of roster moves today.
Lets start with the big ones.
1B/LF Kyle Blanks was called up.
DH/PH Cliff Floyd was placed on the 60 day DL which removes him from the 40 man roster.
SS Everth Cabrera was taken off the DL.
SS Josh Wilson was waived, and claimed by the Seattle Mariners.
C Nick Hundley was placed on the 15 day DL.
C Eliezer Alfonso was called up to replace Hundley.
AAA pitcher Arturo Lopez was waived to make room for Alfonso and was claimed by the New York Mets.
One more move will have to be made next week when Hairston is called up. Venable may be the one sent down unless a trade is made.
Kyle Blanks Called Up. Floyd to DL?
Friday June 19, 2009
This morning the San Diego Padres announced that they have called up their top hitting prospect, Kyle Blanks, from AAA Portland.
Blanks was hitting .283/.393/.485/.893 with 12 home runs in 223 ab so far this season while playing mostly at 1B. He has also had 15 starts in LF for the Beavers in preparation for a possible move to LF for the big league club. Blanks has been on fire recently, batting a ridiculous .424 over his last 10 games with a .500 obp. In June he is hitting .370/.478/.630/1.108
Blanks, a right handed batter, is expected to start in LF against left handed pitching and at DH during interleague games in Seattle and Texas. The Padres face 3 straight lefties against the series with the Oakland Athletics at Petco this weekend.
The left hand batting Floyd who was expected to provide a power hitting DH during interleague play and a big bat off the bench will likely be placed on the DL today.
The oft injured Floyd had spent most of the season so far on the DL already with shoulder and knee issues, having been recalled just 2 weeks ago. He has struggled in a pinch hitting role at the plate since his return hitting just .125 in 16 at bats over 10 games with 7 K's and just one BB.
If Blanks does well and Floyd hits the DL again, I don't expect to see Floyd back in a Padres uniform this season.
Although with just 39 players on the 40 man roster since Jose Lobaton was outrighted, there may be a trade coming. I certainly would not be averse to seeing the Padres make a trade that brings in a good starting pitcher or a big bat to protect Gonzalez in the batting order.
In other Padres news:
With the return of Everth Cabrera, Josh Wilson will likely be designated for assignment or released today.
This morning the San Diego Padres announced that they have called up their top hitting prospect, Kyle Blanks, from AAA Portland.
Blanks was hitting .283/.393/.485/.893 with 12 home runs in 223 ab so far this season while playing mostly at 1B. He has also had 15 starts in LF for the Beavers in preparation for a possible move to LF for the big league club. Blanks has been on fire recently, batting a ridiculous .424 over his last 10 games with a .500 obp. In June he is hitting .370/.478/.630/1.108
Blanks, a right handed batter, is expected to start in LF against left handed pitching and at DH during interleague games in Seattle and Texas. The Padres face 3 straight lefties against the series with the Oakland Athletics at Petco this weekend.
The left hand batting Floyd who was expected to provide a power hitting DH during interleague play and a big bat off the bench will likely be placed on the DL today.
The oft injured Floyd had spent most of the season so far on the DL already with shoulder and knee issues, having been recalled just 2 weeks ago. He has struggled in a pinch hitting role at the plate since his return hitting just .125 in 16 at bats over 10 games with 7 K's and just one BB.
If Blanks does well and Floyd hits the DL again, I don't expect to see Floyd back in a Padres uniform this season.
Although with just 39 players on the 40 man roster since Jose Lobaton was outrighted, there may be a trade coming. I certainly would not be averse to seeing the Padres make a trade that brings in a good starting pitcher or a big bat to protect Gonzalez in the batting order.
In other Padres news:
With the return of Everth Cabrera, Josh Wilson will likely be designated for assignment or released today.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fish Or Cut Bait
Thursday June 18, 2009
Today the Detroit Tigers sat Magglio Ordonez indefinitely. Ordonez, who is making $18 million this season, was hitting .273 with 2 home runs prior to being benched.
Yes. I know that the Ordonez situation is as much about keeping him from getting the 135 starts or 540 plate appearances that would cause his $18 million 2010 option to vest.
So if the Tigers can sit Ordonez, what is keeping the Padres from sitting Giles who is making $9 million while only hitting .191 a little over a third into the season?
I don't know what is responsible for the falling off a cliff type decline in Giles performance, but after 200 at bats and 65 games, he should at least be showing signs of improvement. He is not. In his last 10 games he has went 7 for 38 (.184) with just 3 walks and 8 strike outs.
Its time for him to either fish or cut bait.
For that matter, why is a guy like Blanco getting any at bats at all while hitting .182? Yes I know he can throw out an occasional runner, but how many runs are the Padres giving up with his pathetic excuse for a bat? Is a little defense really worth it?
And when is Macias going to be called up to replace the .136 hitting Venable?
Today the Detroit Tigers sat Magglio Ordonez indefinitely. Ordonez, who is making $18 million this season, was hitting .273 with 2 home runs prior to being benched.
Yes. I know that the Ordonez situation is as much about keeping him from getting the 135 starts or 540 plate appearances that would cause his $18 million 2010 option to vest.
So if the Tigers can sit Ordonez, what is keeping the Padres from sitting Giles who is making $9 million while only hitting .191 a little over a third into the season?
I don't know what is responsible for the falling off a cliff type decline in Giles performance, but after 200 at bats and 65 games, he should at least be showing signs of improvement. He is not. In his last 10 games he has went 7 for 38 (.184) with just 3 walks and 8 strike outs.
Its time for him to either fish or cut bait.
For that matter, why is a guy like Blanco getting any at bats at all while hitting .182? Yes I know he can throw out an occasional runner, but how many runs are the Padres giving up with his pathetic excuse for a bat? Is a little defense really worth it?
And when is Macias going to be called up to replace the .136 hitting Venable?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Do the draft experts really know what they are talking about?
Wednesday June 17, 2009
I keep hearing from so called experts at Baseball America, ESPN and other sources that the Padres don't have any athleticism in the minors.
I beg to differ.
The Padres have the fastest player in the minors in Luis Durango, who has Olympic caliber sprinter type speed. A 6.22 in the 60 yard dash is extremely fast.
Luis Durango, Cedric Hunter, Brad Chalk, Andrew Cumberland, Jaff Decker, Blake Tekotte, Lance Zawadski, and James Darnell are all the toolsy or athletic types that BA and the other so called experts praise in other systems, but seem to overlook in the Padres system.
And those are just the position players. Mat Latos, Wynn Pelzer, Simon Castro, Jeremy Hefner, Corey Kluber and Cory Luebke and several others are the hard throwing, TOOLS type pitchers these "experts" are screaming about in other organizations.
Then there are the young kids in the DSL like Adis Portillo, Alvaro Aristy and Jonathan Galvez that certainly should fit the bill, but are all but totally ignored.
I also keep hearing that the Padres changed their philosophy in drafting 4 high school players in their first 6 picks of the draft.
To my way of thinking, in the 2009 draft the Padres continued a trend that goes back many years in picking just 7 HS players in this draft while taking 43 college players.
Just because they took such an outstanding athlete at #3 does not mean that their philosophy changed. It just means the Padres have not had an opportunity to pick a player with that much upside recently. They have been picking in the bottom half of the 1st round, not the top 3.
And the so called experts seem to forget that last season the Padres took high school player Jaff Decker with a 1st round pick (#42). The year before they took high school player Drew Cumberland (#46) in the 1st Round. And in 2006 they took high school player Tyler Burke (#35) in the 1st round.
In the ten drafts prior to 2009 the Padres have taken 8 HS players in the 1st round. That is 8 HS players in 10 years.
I have not done the research, but I would be willing to bet sight unseen that 80% is a pretty high ratio of high school players taken in the 1st round for any team.
So either the so called experts have an agenda they are pushing or they should pay a little more attention to what is really happening.
I keep hearing from so called experts at Baseball America, ESPN and other sources that the Padres don't have any athleticism in the minors.
I beg to differ.
The Padres have the fastest player in the minors in Luis Durango, who has Olympic caliber sprinter type speed. A 6.22 in the 60 yard dash is extremely fast.
Luis Durango, Cedric Hunter, Brad Chalk, Andrew Cumberland, Jaff Decker, Blake Tekotte, Lance Zawadski, and James Darnell are all the toolsy or athletic types that BA and the other so called experts praise in other systems, but seem to overlook in the Padres system.
And those are just the position players. Mat Latos, Wynn Pelzer, Simon Castro, Jeremy Hefner, Corey Kluber and Cory Luebke and several others are the hard throwing, TOOLS type pitchers these "experts" are screaming about in other organizations.
Then there are the young kids in the DSL like Adis Portillo, Alvaro Aristy and Jonathan Galvez that certainly should fit the bill, but are all but totally ignored.
I also keep hearing that the Padres changed their philosophy in drafting 4 high school players in their first 6 picks of the draft.
To my way of thinking, in the 2009 draft the Padres continued a trend that goes back many years in picking just 7 HS players in this draft while taking 43 college players.
Just because they took such an outstanding athlete at #3 does not mean that their philosophy changed. It just means the Padres have not had an opportunity to pick a player with that much upside recently. They have been picking in the bottom half of the 1st round, not the top 3.
And the so called experts seem to forget that last season the Padres took high school player Jaff Decker with a 1st round pick (#42). The year before they took high school player Drew Cumberland (#46) in the 1st Round. And in 2006 they took high school player Tyler Burke (#35) in the 1st round.
In the ten drafts prior to 2009 the Padres have taken 8 HS players in the 1st round. That is 8 HS players in 10 years.
I have not done the research, but I would be willing to bet sight unseen that 80% is a pretty high ratio of high school players taken in the 1st round for any team.
So either the so called experts have an agenda they are pushing or they should pay a little more attention to what is really happening.
The Definition of Pathetic
Wednesday June 17, 2009
.316
.249
.269
.237
.236
.198
.143
.236
.125
.213
So what are those numbers?
Those are the batting averages of the non pitchers that came to the plate for the Padres tonight.
Wow! That is scary.
Not scary good or scary to the opposing pitcher, just scary. I cannot honestly say I have seen a more pathetic group of batting averages ever. It may well be the worst collection in any game in post WWII baseball.
Yes, I know that Petco depresses batting averages. In fact I have made that argument many times before myself.
But there is no excuse for having no one on the active roster that has more than 100 abs hitting over .270. NONE!
I like that Kouzmanoff is starting to hit with some power and that he is hitting .270+ in June.
I like that Junior is still hitting over .300 after 72 abs. Its not going to last long, like Venables hot streak last season, but I like it right now.
I like that Hairston will be back in a week or so. Hairston was hitting WAY above his career averages and is likely to fall off, but if he returns to his pre-injury form it would be great!
But it is inexcusable to have 6 players STARTING that are hitting under .250.
It is unexcusable for a team that supposedly preaches patience at the plate to have 4 players on pace to strike out more than 100 times.
It is inexcusable for a team to have a slugger like Adrian Gonzalez with so little protection in the lineup that opposing teams have walked him 19 times already this month.
Where is the outrage from management? We fans are all feeling it. We are tired of watching this team underachieve. When is KT, or Moorad or Moores or someone going to step up and publicly say this is unacceptable?
I don't want to hear some meely mouth garbage that "If we fall completely out of this thing in the next month than I think you're going to see a lot of younger players getting the AB's" . That is a defeatist pile of garbage. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.
What I want to hear from SOMEONE in managment is:
"This level of play is unacceptable. We are going to make changes to help this team be more competitive right now. If for some reason we are unable to turn the season around sufficiently, new players and possibly a new coaching staff are on the way. Its time for this team to step up."
Bud Black's JOB is to figure out a way to get talented players to do their jobs at least marginally well.
He has failed.
No the poor pitching is not his fault. That is almost entirely on injuries. When you have 6 or 7 pitchers on the DL and 8 members of your pitching staff that should be in the minors, you are not going to win many games.
What is his fault is a total lack of hitting. He can't swing the bat for them, but he damn well better figure out a way to get them to hit better than this. Maybe he needs to put the fear of God in them. A angry meltdown from the mild mannered Black would sure shake up things. Maybe more time in the cage or watching video. A different hitting coach. A different hitting philosophy. Or maybe just stop trying to change how guys hit and let them do what got them here.
I don't know. It is not my JOB to know. It IS his job.
What I do know is what he is doing is not working.
I don't expect this pitching staff to keep the Padres in enough games to have a winning record.
I DO expect at least half of the starters to at least hit .250. I do expect to see improvement and adjustments as the season goes on. Is that asking too much?
Apparently it is from this bunch so far this season.
Ok. My rant is over, at least for now.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
.316
.249
.269
.237
.236
.198
.143
.236
.125
.213
So what are those numbers?
Those are the batting averages of the non pitchers that came to the plate for the Padres tonight.
Wow! That is scary.
Not scary good or scary to the opposing pitcher, just scary. I cannot honestly say I have seen a more pathetic group of batting averages ever. It may well be the worst collection in any game in post WWII baseball.
Yes, I know that Petco depresses batting averages. In fact I have made that argument many times before myself.
But there is no excuse for having no one on the active roster that has more than 100 abs hitting over .270. NONE!
I like that Kouzmanoff is starting to hit with some power and that he is hitting .270+ in June.
I like that Junior is still hitting over .300 after 72 abs. Its not going to last long, like Venables hot streak last season, but I like it right now.
I like that Hairston will be back in a week or so. Hairston was hitting WAY above his career averages and is likely to fall off, but if he returns to his pre-injury form it would be great!
But it is inexcusable to have 6 players STARTING that are hitting under .250.
It is unexcusable for a team that supposedly preaches patience at the plate to have 4 players on pace to strike out more than 100 times.
It is inexcusable for a team to have a slugger like Adrian Gonzalez with so little protection in the lineup that opposing teams have walked him 19 times already this month.
Where is the outrage from management? We fans are all feeling it. We are tired of watching this team underachieve. When is KT, or Moorad or Moores or someone going to step up and publicly say this is unacceptable?
I don't want to hear some meely mouth garbage that "If we fall completely out of this thing in the next month than I think you're going to see a lot of younger players getting the AB's" . That is a defeatist pile of garbage. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.
What I want to hear from SOMEONE in managment is:
"This level of play is unacceptable. We are going to make changes to help this team be more competitive right now. If for some reason we are unable to turn the season around sufficiently, new players and possibly a new coaching staff are on the way. Its time for this team to step up."
Bud Black's JOB is to figure out a way to get talented players to do their jobs at least marginally well.
He has failed.
No the poor pitching is not his fault. That is almost entirely on injuries. When you have 6 or 7 pitchers on the DL and 8 members of your pitching staff that should be in the minors, you are not going to win many games.
What is his fault is a total lack of hitting. He can't swing the bat for them, but he damn well better figure out a way to get them to hit better than this. Maybe he needs to put the fear of God in them. A angry meltdown from the mild mannered Black would sure shake up things. Maybe more time in the cage or watching video. A different hitting coach. A different hitting philosophy. Or maybe just stop trying to change how guys hit and let them do what got them here.
I don't know. It is not my JOB to know. It IS his job.
What I do know is what he is doing is not working.
I don't expect this pitching staff to keep the Padres in enough games to have a winning record.
I DO expect at least half of the starters to at least hit .250. I do expect to see improvement and adjustments as the season goes on. Is that asking too much?
Apparently it is from this bunch so far this season.
Ok. My rant is over, at least for now.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
More San Diego Padres Injury Updates
Wednesday June 17, 2009
In his interview on XX 1090 Sports Radio yesterday, San Diego Padres General Manager said Shortstop Everth Cabrera will be ready by Friday. He also said that Cabrera may get alot more at bats than he did early in the season. Since Cabrera only had 13 abs before being injured, it won't be hard to have more abs.
Scott Hairston has been hitting off the tee the last 3 days and may begin a rehab assignment by Friday and be ready to come off the DL for the Seattle series next Tuesday - Thursday, so there is some good news in Padres land.
In a move to apparently fill some of the gap left in the minors by all the injuries to Padres pitchers, according to XX 1090, the Padres reportedly signed Brian Lawrence to a minor league contract. Lawrence last pitched in the ML in 2006 and was pitching for the OC Flyers of the independent GBL league. He is starting tonight for AAA Portland.
The Padres also acquired AAA Lefty Mike O'Connor from the Washington Nationals. Once one of the top prospects in the "Natinals" system, the 28 year old O'Connor has been pretty much written off as a potential major leaguer, but he is good filler for the Padres AAA club that has sent much of its staff to San Diego recently.
In his interview on XX 1090 Sports Radio yesterday, San Diego Padres General Manager said Shortstop Everth Cabrera will be ready by Friday. He also said that Cabrera may get alot more at bats than he did early in the season. Since Cabrera only had 13 abs before being injured, it won't be hard to have more abs.
Scott Hairston has been hitting off the tee the last 3 days and may begin a rehab assignment by Friday and be ready to come off the DL for the Seattle series next Tuesday - Thursday, so there is some good news in Padres land.
In a move to apparently fill some of the gap left in the minors by all the injuries to Padres pitchers, according to XX 1090, the Padres reportedly signed Brian Lawrence to a minor league contract. Lawrence last pitched in the ML in 2006 and was pitching for the OC Flyers of the independent GBL league. He is starting tonight for AAA Portland.
The Padres also acquired AAA Lefty Mike O'Connor from the Washington Nationals. Once one of the top prospects in the "Natinals" system, the 28 year old O'Connor has been pretty much written off as a potential major leaguer, but he is good filler for the Padres AAA club that has sent much of its staff to San Diego recently.
Another Padres Pitcher Lost to the DL
Wednesday June 17, 2009
With the shoulder injury that forced Luke Gregerson onto the DL, the Padres now have 6 pitchers on the DL.
6 Pitchers on the DL. Most teams don't have 6 PLAYERS on the DL.
In addition to Gregerson, the Padres also have on the DL:
Currently the Padres are on pace for 1140 player days on the dl, or the 2nd most in MLB records. Only their 2008 season's total of 1244 exceeds that number. It means 30% of the team is on the DL on average all season. That is Astounding bad luck!!
And now we find out Chris Young may be headed to the DL as well.
That would leave the Padres with just 4 pitchers who spent significant time on a ML roster in 2008. Corriea, Bell, Adams, and Meredith.
It will also leave the Padres with a starting rotation that consists of Kevin Correia (our new #1), Chad Gaudin, Walter Silva, Wade LeBlanc and Josh Geer (or Ekstrom or Banks).
Does that sound like a AAA rotation? It should. It would be the AAA rotation on any other team in MLB and should be even for the Padres.
Once again, injuries have shattered any hope of a decent season for the Padres.
With the shoulder injury that forced Luke Gregerson onto the DL, the Padres now have 6 pitchers on the DL.
6 Pitchers on the DL. Most teams don't have 6 PLAYERS on the DL.
In addition to Gregerson, the Padres also have on the DL:
- Mark Worrell who is lost for the season,
- Cha Seung Baek who is on the 60 day DL and not expected back this season,
- Shawn Hill was just moved onto the 60 day DL and may not be back this season,
- Luis Perdomo who is on the 15 day DL and due to his Rule V draft status may not be activated until late in the season if at all
- and Jake Peavy who is out until the All Star break at the least and probably until August.
Currently the Padres are on pace for 1140 player days on the dl, or the 2nd most in MLB records. Only their 2008 season's total of 1244 exceeds that number. It means 30% of the team is on the DL on average all season. That is Astounding bad luck!!
And now we find out Chris Young may be headed to the DL as well.
That would leave the Padres with just 4 pitchers who spent significant time on a ML roster in 2008. Corriea, Bell, Adams, and Meredith.
It will also leave the Padres with a starting rotation that consists of Kevin Correia (our new #1), Chad Gaudin, Walter Silva, Wade LeBlanc and Josh Geer (or Ekstrom or Banks).
Does that sound like a AAA rotation? It should. It would be the AAA rotation on any other team in MLB and should be even for the Padres.
Once again, injuries have shattered any hope of a decent season for the Padres.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Padres Grant Burke Free Agency
Monday June 15, 2009
On this day after Flag Day, the San Diego Padres granted Chris Burke his freedom.
Free agency that is. The Padres released Burke who hit just .207/.270 in 89 abs this season. Burke had recently been optioned to AAA Portland to make room for Luis Rodriguez.
The Padres also traded catcher Colt Morton to the Seattle Mariners for a box of balls and OF Chris Snelling to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 3 rosin bags and a jar of pine tar.
LHP Cesar Ramos, SS Drew Cumberland, and SS Jeudy Valdez were all placed on the minor league DL this past week. The Padres officially have no true shortstops in the minor leagues in the US as of today.
On this day after Flag Day, the San Diego Padres granted Chris Burke his freedom.
Free agency that is. The Padres released Burke who hit just .207/.270 in 89 abs this season. Burke had recently been optioned to AAA Portland to make room for Luis Rodriguez.
The Padres also traded catcher Colt Morton to the Seattle Mariners for a box of balls and OF Chris Snelling to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 3 rosin bags and a jar of pine tar.
LHP Cesar Ramos, SS Drew Cumberland, and SS Jeudy Valdez were all placed on the minor league DL this past week. The Padres officially have no true shortstops in the minor leagues in the US as of today.
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Day in the Life - Padres Style
Friday June 12, 2009
On the day the San Diego Padres find out that their ace is sidelined for a month, the pitcher that took the mound tonight against the Los Angeles Angels showed why Peavy is so critical to their season.
Starter Chad Gaudin gave up 10 hits 8 earned runs in just 3 innings pitched in the 11-6 loss.
On Saturday, in the place of the injured Jake Peavy, the Padres will have to send Josh Geer to the mound. While Geer may be a fine #5 on most staffs, he is far from an equal or even close to equal replacement for Peavy.
6 or even more times over the next month plus the Padres will be forced to send a pale shadow of Peavy to the mound.
So what becomes of the season now?
The Padres will undoubtedly lose more of the games Peavy's replacements will pitch than those that Peavy would have thrown.
Peavy's injury does mean that the Padres will probably find no takers on the trade front prior to the July 31st trade deadline. Now before the cheering starts, it does not mean Peavy cannot still be traded this season or in the off season. It just means that if he does not come off the DL before the end of July, he can't be traded before the end of July.
Peavy can still be traded after July 31st by placing him on waivers. If he (and what is left on his contract) clears waivers, he can then be traded. Even if he is claimed, the Padres can trade him to the claiming team.
Of course Peavy still would have a full no trade clause and could once again put the kibosh on any trades he does not approve of. It is doubtful teams, including all AL teams, that he has said he does not want to play for will not try making a waiver claim on him.
Well the day was not a total loss. There was some good news.
Shortstop Luis Rodriguez returned from the DL. Although he went 0 for 3 with 3 k's tonight, LRod is miles ahead of Josh Wilson both at the plate and in the field.
Brian Giles went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .200 for the first time since April 10th.
Kevin Kouzmanoff continued his hot streak going 3 for 5, hitting his 6th home run of the season, and driving in 3 runs to raise his total to 31. Kouz has gone 8 for 16 with 10 rbi over the last 4 games.
Cliff Floyd got both his 1st start (at dh) and first hit of the season. If he can get hot over the next few games at DH during interleague, he may just be valuable trade bait.
All of that is interesting and at least somewhat encouraging, but Peavy hitting the DL for a month put a bigger pall on the day than the June Gloom.
Well, as Porky Pig would say, thats all folks.
On the day the San Diego Padres find out that their ace is sidelined for a month, the pitcher that took the mound tonight against the Los Angeles Angels showed why Peavy is so critical to their season.
Starter Chad Gaudin gave up 10 hits 8 earned runs in just 3 innings pitched in the 11-6 loss.
On Saturday, in the place of the injured Jake Peavy, the Padres will have to send Josh Geer to the mound. While Geer may be a fine #5 on most staffs, he is far from an equal or even close to equal replacement for Peavy.
6 or even more times over the next month plus the Padres will be forced to send a pale shadow of Peavy to the mound.
So what becomes of the season now?
The Padres will undoubtedly lose more of the games Peavy's replacements will pitch than those that Peavy would have thrown.
Peavy's injury does mean that the Padres will probably find no takers on the trade front prior to the July 31st trade deadline. Now before the cheering starts, it does not mean Peavy cannot still be traded this season or in the off season. It just means that if he does not come off the DL before the end of July, he can't be traded before the end of July.
Peavy can still be traded after July 31st by placing him on waivers. If he (and what is left on his contract) clears waivers, he can then be traded. Even if he is claimed, the Padres can trade him to the claiming team.
Of course Peavy still would have a full no trade clause and could once again put the kibosh on any trades he does not approve of. It is doubtful teams, including all AL teams, that he has said he does not want to play for will not try making a waiver claim on him.
Well the day was not a total loss. There was some good news.
Shortstop Luis Rodriguez returned from the DL. Although he went 0 for 3 with 3 k's tonight, LRod is miles ahead of Josh Wilson both at the plate and in the field.
Brian Giles went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .200 for the first time since April 10th.
Kevin Kouzmanoff continued his hot streak going 3 for 5, hitting his 6th home run of the season, and driving in 3 runs to raise his total to 31. Kouz has gone 8 for 16 with 10 rbi over the last 4 games.
Cliff Floyd got both his 1st start (at dh) and first hit of the season. If he can get hot over the next few games at DH during interleague, he may just be valuable trade bait.
All of that is interesting and at least somewhat encouraging, but Peavy hitting the DL for a month put a bigger pall on the day than the June Gloom.
Well, as Porky Pig would say, thats all folks.
Padres take 3 of the top HS Centerfielders in last 2 drafts
Friday June 12, 2009
Don't look now, but the Padres have taken 3 of the top 10 HS outfield prospects in the first two rounds of the last 2 drafts.
Jaff Decker last season and Donavan Tate and Everett Williams this season. These kids could be pushing more established players like Cedric Hunter, Kellen Kulbacki and Luis Durango soon.
When you look at that huge outfield in Petco, it cries out for fast outfielders with power at all 3 positions. That is what those 3 players show promise of being someday with a little luck.
You probably thought, maybe even hoped, that was all I would have to say on the draft? Sorry to disappoint you. There is still more.
I have spent several hours over the past 2 days watching film of this kid out of Duke, Nathan Frieman. When I saw the pick come across the board in the 8th round I was surprised at the choice. He is 6'8" and images of Richie Sexson and Dave Kingman and their all or nothing swings and low BA and high SO rate flashed through my head.
Then I saw the film. This guy is a brute and he crushes balls, but he has a great eye and doesn't strike out much. He has pretty quick feet at first and can pick the ball pretty good. He is also a Rhodes Scholar candidate according to Paul DePodesta.
He may quickly add to the plethora of good power hitting prospects at the 1B position in the Padres system.
Don't look now, but the Padres have taken 3 of the top 10 HS outfield prospects in the first two rounds of the last 2 drafts.
Jaff Decker last season and Donavan Tate and Everett Williams this season. These kids could be pushing more established players like Cedric Hunter, Kellen Kulbacki and Luis Durango soon.
When you look at that huge outfield in Petco, it cries out for fast outfielders with power at all 3 positions. That is what those 3 players show promise of being someday with a little luck.
You probably thought, maybe even hoped, that was all I would have to say on the draft? Sorry to disappoint you. There is still more.
I have spent several hours over the past 2 days watching film of this kid out of Duke, Nathan Frieman. When I saw the pick come across the board in the 8th round I was surprised at the choice. He is 6'8" and images of Richie Sexson and Dave Kingman and their all or nothing swings and low BA and high SO rate flashed through my head.
Then I saw the film. This guy is a brute and he crushes balls, but he has a great eye and doesn't strike out much. He has pretty quick feet at first and can pick the ball pretty good. He is also a Rhodes Scholar candidate according to Paul DePodesta.
He may quickly add to the plethora of good power hitting prospects at the 1B position in the Padres system.
The 2009 Padres Amateur Draft
Friday June 12, 2009
So how did I do in my first attempt at a mock draft?
Pretty well considering the difficulty.
I got as many players that went in the first round as most of the other major mock drafts that came out on June 5th or earlier.
As far as the order, I stunk. I guess I could have done alot better if I had waited until early on draft day when several teams including Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and the sad sack "Natinals" had pretty much announced who they were going to take.
The Padres surprised me quite a bit by taking a huge risk on Donavan Tate, a high school kid that is already committed to UNC AND is a Boras client. That is a 3 fold risk.
Tate is a true five tool prospect. He is very fast, has a big build that generates tremendous power a he will fill in as he gets older, and he has a cannon for an arm. The Padres are saying worst case he turns into a Mike Cameron type outfielder, at best a younger Andruw Jones type. Either way its a nice fit in an organization that is short on speed and power in CF.
This is a great pick if the Padres can get him signed.
In the 2nd round, at pick number 52, the Padres took another high school player Everett Williams. This is an athletic kid that many, including me, thought would go in the 1st round. That he fell to 52 is a coup for the Padres.
In the 4th round the Padres picked up another player that was picked to go much higher in HS pitcher Keyvius Sampson.
The Padres took 4 high school players in their first 6 picks in a tremendous departure from the modus operandi in past drafts.
Overall I was extremely excited to see the players taken in the top half of the draft. I will have several more posts about some of the other players the Padres selected.
The thing that may have made me happiest in this draft will probably have the least effect on the Padres team now or in the future.
In the bottom half of the draft two of my alma mater New Mexico Lobo's players were drafted by the Padres. Cameron Monger, a lightning fast backup CF, in the 27th round and 3B Dane Hamilton in the 41st round.
So how did I do in my first attempt at a mock draft?
Pretty well considering the difficulty.
I got as many players that went in the first round as most of the other major mock drafts that came out on June 5th or earlier.
As far as the order, I stunk. I guess I could have done alot better if I had waited until early on draft day when several teams including Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and the sad sack "Natinals" had pretty much announced who they were going to take.
The Padres surprised me quite a bit by taking a huge risk on Donavan Tate, a high school kid that is already committed to UNC AND is a Boras client. That is a 3 fold risk.
- High school players that do make the major leagues take 4-5 years on average and fail to make it at all at a higher percentage than college players.
- Tate is already committed to go to UNC and play both QB on the football team and baseball. His father, Lars Tate, is a former NFL player. Donovan has been quoted as recently as early May saying his dream is to play in the NFL.
- Scott Boras is his "adviser" (just say agent) and has been rumored to be floating an asking price of $7.25 million for Tate. Obviously this is a negotiating ploy, but Tate could easily command $6 million, or Tim Beckham/Pedro Alvarez type of money.
Tate is a true five tool prospect. He is very fast, has a big build that generates tremendous power a he will fill in as he gets older, and he has a cannon for an arm. The Padres are saying worst case he turns into a Mike Cameron type outfielder, at best a younger Andruw Jones type. Either way its a nice fit in an organization that is short on speed and power in CF.
This is a great pick if the Padres can get him signed.
In the 2nd round, at pick number 52, the Padres took another high school player Everett Williams. This is an athletic kid that many, including me, thought would go in the 1st round. That he fell to 52 is a coup for the Padres.
In the 4th round the Padres picked up another player that was picked to go much higher in HS pitcher Keyvius Sampson.
The Padres took 4 high school players in their first 6 picks in a tremendous departure from the modus operandi in past drafts.
Overall I was extremely excited to see the players taken in the top half of the draft. I will have several more posts about some of the other players the Padres selected.
The thing that may have made me happiest in this draft will probably have the least effect on the Padres team now or in the future.
In the bottom half of the draft two of my alma mater New Mexico Lobo's players were drafted by the Padres. Cameron Monger, a lightning fast backup CF, in the 27th round and 3B Dane Hamilton in the 41st round.
Padres Injury Woes Mount
Friday June 12, 2009
The San Diego Padres injury woes are continuing to grow. Today a 7th pitcher made a trip to the DL
This time it is team ace Jake Peavy who has succumbed to an ankle injury he sustained more than three weeks ago. Peavy will miss at least a month and possibly more.
Peavy injured the ankle running the bases in a game on May 20th against the Cubs and had pushed his way through the pain in his last two starts with treatment and heavily taping the ankle.
Yesterday an MRI revealed that the tibialis tendon behind his right ankle was torn. Peavy will likely be in a cast for 4 weeks and then will require a minor league rehab assignment. Don't expect to see him in a Padres uniform before the All Star break and possibly until the beginning of August.
The good news is that if Peavy is out until August 1st, he probably won't be traded in 2009.
The bad news is that Peavy will miss a minimum of 6 starts and possibly 8 or more starts. Peavy has been the Padres best pitcher this season and will be sorely missed.
Peavy will be replaced in the rotation by Josh Geer on Saturday.
The San Diego Padres injury woes are continuing to grow. Today a 7th pitcher made a trip to the DL
This time it is team ace Jake Peavy who has succumbed to an ankle injury he sustained more than three weeks ago. Peavy will miss at least a month and possibly more.
Peavy injured the ankle running the bases in a game on May 20th against the Cubs and had pushed his way through the pain in his last two starts with treatment and heavily taping the ankle.
Yesterday an MRI revealed that the tibialis tendon behind his right ankle was torn. Peavy will likely be in a cast for 4 weeks and then will require a minor league rehab assignment. Don't expect to see him in a Padres uniform before the All Star break and possibly until the beginning of August.
The good news is that if Peavy is out until August 1st, he probably won't be traded in 2009.
The bad news is that Peavy will miss a minimum of 6 starts and possibly 8 or more starts. Peavy has been the Padres best pitcher this season and will be sorely missed.
Peavy will be replaced in the rotation by Josh Geer on Saturday.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Padres Farm Report
Monday June 8, 2009
There are many people in the blogosphere that do a better job at covering what is going on in the minor leagues than I can in my limited time, but there are a few players I wanted to talk about so here goes.
Two of the 4 play the same position, which should make the coming years fun in the Padres organization.
1st - James Darnell. Darnell has hit .467/.610 over the last 10 games for the Low A Fort Wayne Tin Caps. That is right. Darnell has gotten on base more than 6 of every 10 PA. During that stretch 8 of his 14 hits were for extra bases including 2 home runs and he walked 11 times vs 3 strike outs.
I really don't know how much better he can get than that stretch, but I will watch his progress closely in the months to come. Overall for the season he is hitting .296/.460/.503/.962 with 7 hr and 55 walks in 179 AB.
2nd - Logan Forsythe. This kid started the season hot with the High A Lake Elsinore Storm hitting .309/.460 in April and has gotten better as the season has progressed. Over the past 10 games he has hit .394/.500 to raise his BA to .330 on the season and his OBP to .480. His .543 slugging and 1.022 OPs are simply outstanding. I cannot wait to see how he does as he progresses up the ladder.
With Seth Johnston and Bryan Joynt struggling in San Antonio, it may not be long before we see Forsythe, a 2008 draft pick, in a Missions uniform.
3rd - Nick Schmidt. After missing all of the 2008 season due to elbow surgery, Schmidt has pitched well for the Fort Wayne Tin Caps so far this season and has not allowed a run in 14.1 IP over his last 3 starts and has recorded 16 SO. His fastball has been clocked at up to 93 and sits at 90-91 and he has a devastating changeup.
While he is still gaining arm strength, the 6'5" lefty is looking better in each succeeding start and is starting to live up to the hype when he was taken with the 23rd pick in the 2007 draft. If he can stay healthy he should move quickly through the Padres system.
4th - Mike Baxter. A 4th round pick in 2005, Baxter has been pretty much overlooked as an OF prospect in the Padres organization until 2009. With names such as Drew Macias, Will Venable, Cedric Hunter, and Yefri Carvajal garnering much of the attention, Baxter has quietly went about his business.
This year he has started to make some noise and was recently called up to the AAA Portland Beavers after hitting an amazing .376 in 202 abs for the AA San Antonio Missions. We may be seeing Baxter in a Padres uniform in September if he can continue to show progress with the bat in AAA.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
There are many people in the blogosphere that do a better job at covering what is going on in the minor leagues than I can in my limited time, but there are a few players I wanted to talk about so here goes.
Two of the 4 play the same position, which should make the coming years fun in the Padres organization.
1st - James Darnell. Darnell has hit .467/.610 over the last 10 games for the Low A Fort Wayne Tin Caps. That is right. Darnell has gotten on base more than 6 of every 10 PA. During that stretch 8 of his 14 hits were for extra bases including 2 home runs and he walked 11 times vs 3 strike outs.
I really don't know how much better he can get than that stretch, but I will watch his progress closely in the months to come. Overall for the season he is hitting .296/.460/.503/.962 with 7 hr and 55 walks in 179 AB.
2nd - Logan Forsythe. This kid started the season hot with the High A Lake Elsinore Storm hitting .309/.460 in April and has gotten better as the season has progressed. Over the past 10 games he has hit .394/.500 to raise his BA to .330 on the season and his OBP to .480. His .543 slugging and 1.022 OPs are simply outstanding. I cannot wait to see how he does as he progresses up the ladder.
With Seth Johnston and Bryan Joynt struggling in San Antonio, it may not be long before we see Forsythe, a 2008 draft pick, in a Missions uniform.
3rd - Nick Schmidt. After missing all of the 2008 season due to elbow surgery, Schmidt has pitched well for the Fort Wayne Tin Caps so far this season and has not allowed a run in 14.1 IP over his last 3 starts and has recorded 16 SO. His fastball has been clocked at up to 93 and sits at 90-91 and he has a devastating changeup.
While he is still gaining arm strength, the 6'5" lefty is looking better in each succeeding start and is starting to live up to the hype when he was taken with the 23rd pick in the 2007 draft. If he can stay healthy he should move quickly through the Padres system.
4th - Mike Baxter. A 4th round pick in 2005, Baxter has been pretty much overlooked as an OF prospect in the Padres organization until 2009. With names such as Drew Macias, Will Venable, Cedric Hunter, and Yefri Carvajal garnering much of the attention, Baxter has quietly went about his business.
This year he has started to make some noise and was recently called up to the AAA Portland Beavers after hitting an amazing .376 in 202 abs for the AA San Antonio Missions. We may be seeing Baxter in a Padres uniform in September if he can continue to show progress with the bat in AAA.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
Another Padre Pitcher Goes on the DL
Monday June 8, 2009
Well here we go again. Another Padres pitcher headed to the DL.
Luis Perdomo was placed on the DL today with a strained knee. Since he is a rule V draftee, I am not sure if we will se him in San Diego again before the rosters are expanded in September.
This is already the 6th pitcher to see time on the DL. OUCH!
The good news is that reliever Mike Adams returned from his long stint on the DL after shoulder surgery in the off season. Adams was extremely good for the Padres last season, but don't expect him to come in and be as good immediately after surgery and a long stay on the DL. Gregerson and Mujiica will probably continue in their late inning roles.
The Padres sent down SS Chris Burke and and Joe"Becky" Thatcher and called up Wade LeBlanc and Edwin Moreno to bring the pitching staff to 13 in the wake of the 18 inning game yesterday.
That leaves the Padres with just the .103 hitting Josh Wilson at SS until Luis Rodriguez returns frm the DL at the end of the week. Wilson has no options left and would ahve had to pass through waivers to be sent down. With so little depth at the position in the organization, the Padres sent down Burke.
Well here we go again. Another Padres pitcher headed to the DL.
Luis Perdomo was placed on the DL today with a strained knee. Since he is a rule V draftee, I am not sure if we will se him in San Diego again before the rosters are expanded in September.
This is already the 6th pitcher to see time on the DL. OUCH!
The good news is that reliever Mike Adams returned from his long stint on the DL after shoulder surgery in the off season. Adams was extremely good for the Padres last season, but don't expect him to come in and be as good immediately after surgery and a long stay on the DL. Gregerson and Mujiica will probably continue in their late inning roles.
The Padres sent down SS Chris Burke and and Joe"Becky" Thatcher and called up Wade LeBlanc and Edwin Moreno to bring the pitching staff to 13 in the wake of the 18 inning game yesterday.
That leaves the Padres with just the .103 hitting Josh Wilson at SS until Luis Rodriguez returns frm the DL at the end of the week. Wilson has no options left and would ahve had to pass through waivers to be sent down. With so little depth at the position in the organization, the Padres sent down Burke.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Padres Injury Update
Sunday June 7, 2009
An update on the Padres injury situation.
Currently the Padres are on pace for 1100 player days on the DL. Not Good!
The good news is Everth Cabrera started his minor league rehab assignment earlier in the week and Luis Rodriguez started his rehab assignment with AAA Portland last night.
We will probably see LRod first since Cabrera is a Rule V draftee and, barring a setback, does not have to be taken off the DL until June 23rd.
Josh Wilson will likely be sent down or released when LRod is ready and Burke will probably be sent down when Cabrera returns.
Walter Silva has not pitched well in his rehab assignment and will likely be designated for assignment soon to free up a spot on the 40 man roster.
Shawn Hill has begun throwing again and will throw a bullpen session today. In a session on June 2nd he threw without pain in long toss, but the pain return when he threw off the mound. Don't count on him again this season.
Cha Seung Baek has not thrown since his setback in May and no timetable has been set for him to come back.
Reliever Mike Adams has 8 appearances in AA and AAA during his rehab assignment that began May 21st. He must be called up by June 20th, but will likely be up much sooner.
An update on the Padres injury situation.
Currently the Padres are on pace for 1100 player days on the DL. Not Good!
The good news is Everth Cabrera started his minor league rehab assignment earlier in the week and Luis Rodriguez started his rehab assignment with AAA Portland last night.
We will probably see LRod first since Cabrera is a Rule V draftee and, barring a setback, does not have to be taken off the DL until June 23rd.
Josh Wilson will likely be sent down or released when LRod is ready and Burke will probably be sent down when Cabrera returns.
Walter Silva has not pitched well in his rehab assignment and will likely be designated for assignment soon to free up a spot on the 40 man roster.
Shawn Hill has begun throwing again and will throw a bullpen session today. In a session on June 2nd he threw without pain in long toss, but the pain return when he threw off the mound. Don't count on him again this season.
Cha Seung Baek has not thrown since his setback in May and no timetable has been set for him to come back.
Reliever Mike Adams has 8 appearances in AA and AAA during his rehab assignment that began May 21st. He must be called up by June 20th, but will likely be up much sooner.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
He even sounds like his daddy.
Saturday June 6, 2009
After being on base 5 times in 5 at bats tonight (a single, a double and 3 bb), the post game interview let us hear that not only has Jr hit like his HOF daddy, he even sounds like him.
Oh yeah, and the Padres won the game over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4.
After a shaky start in the first when he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, a passed ball and a hbp, Kevin Correia settled down and shut down the D'backs for the next 5 innings to get his 2nd win of the season. In all he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and a hbp in 6 IP.
Chase Headley started his 1st game at 3B this season, but gave way to Kevin Kouzmanoff in the 7th inning after being hit by a pitch for the 2nd time in the game by D'backs pitchers.
After not scoring a run in the first 14 innings of the series, the Padres exploded for 6 runs in the 6th inning.
Will Venable started it out with a double to right, Blanco moved him to 3rd with a sac fly and Chris Burke drove him home with a single. Edgar Gonzalez flied out for the 2nd out. Then it got fun. Gwynn Jr. walked and Eckstein drive in Burke. Adrian Gonzalez was walked to load the bases. Then Headley took a pitch in the leg from Dan Schlereth to drive a run. Giles drives in two with a single and then the guy who started it all off in the 6th, drove in the 6th run of the inning with a single to left.
NICE Inning!
After a perfect inning by Luke Gregerson and Edward Mujiica gave up a solo shot to Upton in the 8th inning, Heath Bell came in for the 9th and got his 16th save after allowing a single run on a walk, a wild pitch, a sac, and ground out.
The Padres improve to 26-29 on the season.
Adrian Gonzalez has now been walked 15 times in the past 8 games. With no one to protect him in the lineup, Adrian is being pitched around by other teams rather than give him a chance to beat them.
After being on base 5 times in 5 at bats tonight (a single, a double and 3 bb), the post game interview let us hear that not only has Jr hit like his HOF daddy, he even sounds like him.
Oh yeah, and the Padres won the game over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4.
After a shaky start in the first when he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits, a passed ball and a hbp, Kevin Correia settled down and shut down the D'backs for the next 5 innings to get his 2nd win of the season. In all he allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and a hbp in 6 IP.
Chase Headley started his 1st game at 3B this season, but gave way to Kevin Kouzmanoff in the 7th inning after being hit by a pitch for the 2nd time in the game by D'backs pitchers.
After not scoring a run in the first 14 innings of the series, the Padres exploded for 6 runs in the 6th inning.
Will Venable started it out with a double to right, Blanco moved him to 3rd with a sac fly and Chris Burke drove him home with a single. Edgar Gonzalez flied out for the 2nd out. Then it got fun. Gwynn Jr. walked and Eckstein drive in Burke. Adrian Gonzalez was walked to load the bases. Then Headley took a pitch in the leg from Dan Schlereth to drive a run. Giles drives in two with a single and then the guy who started it all off in the 6th, drove in the 6th run of the inning with a single to left.
NICE Inning!
After a perfect inning by Luke Gregerson and Edward Mujiica gave up a solo shot to Upton in the 8th inning, Heath Bell came in for the 9th and got his 16th save after allowing a single run on a walk, a wild pitch, a sac, and ground out.
The Padres improve to 26-29 on the season.
Adrian Gonzalez has now been walked 15 times in the past 8 games. With no one to protect him in the lineup, Adrian is being pitched around by other teams rather than give him a chance to beat them.
Friday, June 05, 2009
MLB Mock Draft for 2009 - The Websoulsurfer Picks
Friday June 5, 2009
Mock Drafts are always tricky and this being my first stab at it, I will undoubtedly get much of this wrong. I am only hoping to get most of the guys that are picked in the first round correct.
With some teams picking for the best possible athlete, some picking for signability, and some picking for specific types of players, i.e. - college, high school, high upside, quickest to MLB, etc... it is almost impossible to get every one correct.
I have commented on some, but not all of the picks. Just the ones that I felt either deserved or needed a comment.
With that said I am sure I will get a lot of flack for some of my picks, but here goes:
Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS (CA)
Mychal Givens, SS/RHP, Plant High School (FL)
Billy Bullock, RHP, Florida
Brett Jackson, OF, Cal
Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS (AZ)
James Paxton LHP Kentucky
Andrew Oliver LHP Oklahoma State
Jared Mitchell, OF, LSU Reymond Fuentes, OF, Callego HS (PR)
San Diego Padres at #3 Overall
The Padres could go with any of 5 or 6 players at the #3 slot.
I would be happy with Crow, Matzek, Tate, Ackley if he is available, Turner, and even Rex Brothers (how many lefties can hit 96 with control?)
If the Padres take Minor I would be extremely disappointed. Minor is a good pitching prospect and could reach the majors quickly, but he is not projected as a top of the order starter. He is a #3 at best and more likely a #4-#5 type starter. The Padres already have entirely too many of this type of pitcher in their organization.
A pick like this at #3 would show that the Padres are only picking for signability and not to take the best possible athlete.
If the Mariners take Ackley I believe it is highly likely the Padres will take Crow witht he #3. The FO brass have all been to see him pitch this season and he is a Padres type pick. In other words a college player.
If the Mariners don't take Ackley, the Padres will undoubtedly jump on the chance to have the best college hitter in the draft this year.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
(Note: Kyle Gibson has a stress fracture in his throwing arm and will miss 6 weeks. Due to the injury Gibson may drop pretty far in the draft. I now see him going towards the end of the 1st round or during the supplemental round.
James Paxton will likely see his way into the 1st round now.)
Mock Drafts are always tricky and this being my first stab at it, I will undoubtedly get much of this wrong. I am only hoping to get most of the guys that are picked in the first round correct.
With some teams picking for the best possible athlete, some picking for signability, and some picking for specific types of players, i.e. - college, high school, high upside, quickest to MLB, etc... it is almost impossible to get every one correct.
I have commented on some, but not all of the picks. Just the ones that I felt either deserved or needed a comment.
With that said I am sure I will get a lot of flack for some of my picks, but here goes:
- Washington – Steven Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State
Strasburg is the best player available, but I am not sure that the "Natinals" can get him signed after they pick him. They wouldn't budge off $3.65 million for Crow last year even after Crow dropped his asking price by a half million to $4 million. What makes anyone think they are ready to deal with Boras who is reportedly asking $50 million for Stras? - Seattle – Dustin Ackley, OF, North Carolina
Ackley is the best college hitter hands down. The Mariners have also been scouting Scheppers and Matzek heavily so either may go with the #2 pick. Ackley will not get past #3 if the Mariners pass on him. - San Diego – Aaron Crow, RHP, Ft. Worth Cats (Independent)
Padres brass Kevin Towers and Grady Fuson have both been at recent starts of Crow's. On a team hurting for pitching help, he would be one pick that could make an impact quickly. If they think they can get him signed, you may see the Padres take the toolsy HS player Donovan Tate at #3. Knowing their history, I wouldn't count on that. - Pittsburgh – Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS (FL)
Pittsburgh is an emigma. They are the front runners to sign the best International Free agent this season, but are thought to be targeting Borchering who could fall as far as the middle of the 2nd round if they don't take him here. - Baltimore – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints (Independent)
Scheppers was expected to be a top 10 pick in 2008, but injured his shoulder. He has come back this season for the independent league saints and shown nearly the same velocity as before the injury (sits 94-96), but has struggled with command and his secondary pitches have been no where near the plate. Still, he has upside that will make him a top pick. - San Francisco – Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS (CA)
Matzek is about as polished of a high school pitcher as you are going to find. He throws a mid 90's fastball and 3 secondary pitches all with decent command. - Atlanta – Zack Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS (GA)
Atlanta likes to sign high upside high school players from the southeast and Wheeler sure fits the bill. - Cincinnati – Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
I was not sure where to go here. The Reds have gone several different directions with their picks in recent years, but Gibson would be a safe pick that could make it to the majors quickly. - Detroit – Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy (MO)
Detriot has taken high school pitchers in 2 of the last 3 years and one is already pitching n the major leagues. Turner is their type of pick. A kid with great stuff (low to mid 90's fastball, a + curve and a developing change up) and a ton of potential. - Washington – Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia
This is 100% a signability pick. After taking Strasburg who will probably not be signed until August 15th if at all, the "Natinals" will need to pick someone here they can sign quick and under slot. Poythress is a hard hitting 1B with a good eye. A "moneyball" type of player. - Colorado – Alex White, RHP, North Carolina
White has great "stuff" and had largely been thought of as a top 5 pick prior to the 2009 season. He has struggled with command and has not had that bulldog mentality you look for in a number one and has dropped on most boards. Still, he throws mid 90's. - Kansas City – Grant Green, SS, USC
Green fell off the charts with a slow start with the bat and troubles in the field. A late charge against PAC 10 opponents raised his batting average, but a lack of power and the fielding woes have caused many to start thinking of him as a 2B as a professional. - Oakland – Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb
At only 6'1" and 205, Brothers is not an imposing figure and his short arm delivery looks like it shouldn't be coming at you as hard as it is, but he sits 94-96 with good control and a plus slider. He should end up a close. Think a taller and much stockier Billy Wagner. - Texas – Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS (TX)
- Cleveland – Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State
- Arizona – Mike Trout, OF, Millville HS (NJ)
- Arizona – Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State
- Florida – Chad James, LHP, Yukon HS (OK)
- St. Louis – Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt
- Toronto – Kyle Heckathorn, lhp, Kennesaw State
- Houston - Everett Williams, OF, McCallum HS (TX)
- Minnesota - Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS (CA)
- Chicago (AL) – Donovan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS (GA)
Tate, who has committed to UNC to play both football and baseball may fall out of the 1st round entirely due to difficulty in getting him signed and a high asking price. It is thought he will be asking for a $6 million signing bonus on a ML contract or he will go to school. - Los Angeles (AL) – Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica HS (CA)
- Los Angeles (AL) – Max Stassi, C, Yuba City HS (CA)
- Milwaukee – Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
- Seattle – AJ Pollock, OF, Notre Dame
- Boston – Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS (TX)
- New York (AL) - Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
- Tampa Bay – Wil Myers, C, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
- Chicago (NL) – Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana
- Colorado – Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State
Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS (CA)
Mychal Givens, SS/RHP, Plant High School (FL)
Billy Bullock, RHP, Florida
Brett Jackson, OF, Cal
Tommy Joseph, C, Horizon HS (AZ)
James Paxton LHP Kentucky
Andrew Oliver LHP Oklahoma State
Jared Mitchell, OF, LSU Reymond Fuentes, OF, Callego HS (PR)
San Diego Padres at #3 Overall
The Padres could go with any of 5 or 6 players at the #3 slot.
I would be happy with Crow, Matzek, Tate, Ackley if he is available, Turner, and even Rex Brothers (how many lefties can hit 96 with control?)
If the Padres take Minor I would be extremely disappointed. Minor is a good pitching prospect and could reach the majors quickly, but he is not projected as a top of the order starter. He is a #3 at best and more likely a #4-#5 type starter. The Padres already have entirely too many of this type of pitcher in their organization.
A pick like this at #3 would show that the Padres are only picking for signability and not to take the best possible athlete.
If the Mariners take Ackley I believe it is highly likely the Padres will take Crow witht he #3. The FO brass have all been to see him pitch this season and he is a Padres type pick. In other words a college player.
If the Mariners don't take Ackley, the Padres will undoubtedly jump on the chance to have the best college hitter in the draft this year.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
(Note: Kyle Gibson has a stress fracture in his throwing arm and will miss 6 weeks. Due to the injury Gibson may drop pretty far in the draft. I now see him going towards the end of the 1st round or during the supplemental round.
James Paxton will likely see his way into the 1st round now.)
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Another one bites the dust
Wednesday June4, 2009
Another one bites the dust.
With Scott Hairston's bicep injury, yet another Padre went on the DL today.
That makes it seven players on the DL currently and nine players who have spent time there so far this season.
Will Venable was called up to take Hairston's place in the lineup. Drew Macias would have been called up, but a contusion on his left hand may send him to the DL as well.
Last time I checked the Padres were on pace for 1100 player days on the DL in 2009 or just a few under their MLB record of 1200+ player days on the DL last season.
The record amount of injuries that plagued the Padres in 2009 is what doomed their season. Could they be on the way to another injury and loss filled season?
I sure hope not. It is hard watching your AAA players in a Padres uniform every day.
The good news is that Everth Cabrera has started his minor league rehab assignment and has to join the Padres by June 23rd and Mike Adams is also on a rehab assignment and could join the Padres as soon as Friday.
Another one bites the dust.
With Scott Hairston's bicep injury, yet another Padre went on the DL today.
That makes it seven players on the DL currently and nine players who have spent time there so far this season.
Will Venable was called up to take Hairston's place in the lineup. Drew Macias would have been called up, but a contusion on his left hand may send him to the DL as well.
Last time I checked the Padres were on pace for 1100 player days on the DL in 2009 or just a few under their MLB record of 1200+ player days on the DL last season.
The record amount of injuries that plagued the Padres in 2009 is what doomed their season. Could they be on the way to another injury and loss filled season?
I sure hope not. It is hard watching your AAA players in a Padres uniform every day.
The good news is that Everth Cabrera has started his minor league rehab assignment and has to join the Padres by June 23rd and Mike Adams is also on a rehab assignment and could join the Padres as soon as Friday.
Once again a lefty stifles the Padres bats
Wednesday June 4, 2009
The Padres cannot hit left handed pitching.
Its real simple folks. When it comes to hitting lefties, the Padres stink.
It does not matter if they are good lefties or bad lefties, if they are pitching against the Padres they may as well be Randy Johnson or CY Young.
And the Padres showed just how inept they are against lefties again tonight by mustering only 4 hits against a mediocre lefty, JA Happ. If he threw 100 mph or had several devastating pitches I could understand it, but Happ pitches more like Wade Leblanc than Randy Johnson.
At least Bastardo threw mid 90's.
When a guy like Happ is dominating you with an 88-89 mph fastball and an 82 mph cutter you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Oh yeah, the Padres lost 5 - 1 and Young was touched up for 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings. Burke gave up 2 runs in the 7th and the Padres are now 25-28 and 11 games out after the Dodgers won in Arizona.
I believe this is the first time the Padres have been swept at home this year, but if they do not get healthy and start hitting left handed pitching it won't be the last.
I am so fed up with it all tonight that I can't think of anything else to say.
What do you think?
The Padres cannot hit left handed pitching.
Its real simple folks. When it comes to hitting lefties, the Padres stink.
It does not matter if they are good lefties or bad lefties, if they are pitching against the Padres they may as well be Randy Johnson or CY Young.
And the Padres showed just how inept they are against lefties again tonight by mustering only 4 hits against a mediocre lefty, JA Happ. If he threw 100 mph or had several devastating pitches I could understand it, but Happ pitches more like Wade Leblanc than Randy Johnson.
At least Bastardo threw mid 90's.
When a guy like Happ is dominating you with an 88-89 mph fastball and an 82 mph cutter you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Oh yeah, the Padres lost 5 - 1 and Young was touched up for 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings. Burke gave up 2 runs in the 7th and the Padres are now 25-28 and 11 games out after the Dodgers won in Arizona.
I believe this is the first time the Padres have been swept at home this year, but if they do not get healthy and start hitting left handed pitching it won't be the last.
I am so fed up with it all tonight that I can't think of anything else to say.
What do you think?
Peavy leaves with Flu symptoms?
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Flu my eye. I am sure the Padres were not lying when they say that Peavy had flu symptoms, but with a player like Peavy who has a warrior mentality you know he wasn't taken out of the game after one inning because he was a little queezy.
We knew something was up when Josh Geer was warming up before the game and Peavy only had an abbreviated warm up session.
It was pretty obvious to everyone watching the game that Peavy was having problems with his push off leg. His velocity was down and his pitches were up. That is a sure sign that you can't push off the mound properly.
Did they use the flu excuse because they didn't want to scare off possible suitors for Peavy? Possibly.
All I know is Peavy could have been getting intravenous fluids between innings because he was so sick he couldn't hold anything down and he still would have wanted to stay in that game. He is just that type of player.
Well, no matter the reason, Peavy gave up 4 runs, the Padres gave up 10 all together and lost to the Phillies 10-5.
The one bright note in the game is that Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run for the 4th straight game and his league leading 22nd of the season.
Once again the Padres batters could not hit left handed pitching and made a rookie look like CY Young. Its a predictable pattern. Bet on the Padres doing poorly against LHP and you will win the bet far more often than you will lose.
One of the only Padres hitters that is doing well against LHP, Scott Hairston, was replaced in the field by Chase Headley to start the 6th. Apparently Hairston strained his left biceps muscle.
Corey Brock of MLB.com posted in his article;
"Second at-bat, first swing -- I felt something in my bicep," Hairston said. "It felt like it wanted to tear, honestly. With each swing, it just got worse. It's one of those things that, as a player, you really get nervous when something like that happens. I just felt that I couldn't continue on."
Not a good sign. The Padres best pitcher and one of the hottest hitters both have to leave the game. Hairston may or may not have to spend time on the DL. The PAdres have already been decimated by injuries and now this.
Will it be a June Swoon for the Padres, or will they continue to howver around .500?
Flu my eye. I am sure the Padres were not lying when they say that Peavy had flu symptoms, but with a player like Peavy who has a warrior mentality you know he wasn't taken out of the game after one inning because he was a little queezy.
We knew something was up when Josh Geer was warming up before the game and Peavy only had an abbreviated warm up session.
It was pretty obvious to everyone watching the game that Peavy was having problems with his push off leg. His velocity was down and his pitches were up. That is a sure sign that you can't push off the mound properly.
Did they use the flu excuse because they didn't want to scare off possible suitors for Peavy? Possibly.
All I know is Peavy could have been getting intravenous fluids between innings because he was so sick he couldn't hold anything down and he still would have wanted to stay in that game. He is just that type of player.
Well, no matter the reason, Peavy gave up 4 runs, the Padres gave up 10 all together and lost to the Phillies 10-5.
The one bright note in the game is that Adrian Gonzalez hit a home run for the 4th straight game and his league leading 22nd of the season.
Once again the Padres batters could not hit left handed pitching and made a rookie look like CY Young. Its a predictable pattern. Bet on the Padres doing poorly against LHP and you will win the bet far more often than you will lose.
One of the only Padres hitters that is doing well against LHP, Scott Hairston, was replaced in the field by Chase Headley to start the 6th. Apparently Hairston strained his left biceps muscle.
Corey Brock of MLB.com posted in his article;
"Second at-bat, first swing -- I felt something in my bicep," Hairston said. "It felt like it wanted to tear, honestly. With each swing, it just got worse. It's one of those things that, as a player, you really get nervous when something like that happens. I just felt that I couldn't continue on."
Not a good sign. The Padres best pitcher and one of the hottest hitters both have to leave the game. Hairston may or may not have to spend time on the DL. The PAdres have already been decimated by injuries and now this.
Will it be a June Swoon for the Padres, or will they continue to howver around .500?
Monday, June 01, 2009
Correia gets pounded in Padres loss - again
Monday June 1, 2009
Kevin Correia gave up two huge blasts to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to start the 5th inning and the Padres lost to the Phillies 5-3 tonight in San Diego.
Correia gave up 10 hits and 4 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings with 5 k's to raise his ERA to 5.37 on the season. Reliever Luke Gregerson gave up his first earned run since giving up 3 on May 9th.
In the lone bright spots for the Padres, Adrian Gonzalez hit his league leading 21st home run and Scott Hairston followed it up with his 8th blast of the season in the bottom of the 6th to pull the Padres within a run. That was as close as they would get and former Padre Shane Victorino would drive in an insurance run for the Phillies in the 8th.
If Adrian Gonzalez played in any of the major cities of MLB he would be voted in as the All Star 1st baseman. He is hitting an astounding 1 home run for every 9 at bats. He is on pace for 66 home runs this season. That is made all the more astounding by two facts. 1- He plays half his game in Petco, the place home runs go to die. 2 - There is no one to protect him in the Padres lineup so teams are simply pitching around him half of the time.
Folks, one big bat in the lineup and this guy could hit 50 every year. He is THAT good. So enjoy him while you can. Some team is going to offer the Padres a whole minor league team for him soon and he will be playing in New York or Boston or some other big market.
Chase Headley got another night on the bench. He is struggling mightily, having struck out 49 times in 161 abs while hitting just .236/.309/.366/.675 with just 4 home runs. Hardly the hitter the Padres were expecting when they called him up last year.
You have got to wonder how long it will be before he is back in AAA trying to hone his hitting and Macias will be back in San Diego as the 4th outfielder?
Kevin Correia gave up two huge blasts to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to start the 5th inning and the Padres lost to the Phillies 5-3 tonight in San Diego.
Correia gave up 10 hits and 4 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings with 5 k's to raise his ERA to 5.37 on the season. Reliever Luke Gregerson gave up his first earned run since giving up 3 on May 9th.
In the lone bright spots for the Padres, Adrian Gonzalez hit his league leading 21st home run and Scott Hairston followed it up with his 8th blast of the season in the bottom of the 6th to pull the Padres within a run. That was as close as they would get and former Padre Shane Victorino would drive in an insurance run for the Phillies in the 8th.
If Adrian Gonzalez played in any of the major cities of MLB he would be voted in as the All Star 1st baseman. He is hitting an astounding 1 home run for every 9 at bats. He is on pace for 66 home runs this season. That is made all the more astounding by two facts. 1- He plays half his game in Petco, the place home runs go to die. 2 - There is no one to protect him in the Padres lineup so teams are simply pitching around him half of the time.
Folks, one big bat in the lineup and this guy could hit 50 every year. He is THAT good. So enjoy him while you can. Some team is going to offer the Padres a whole minor league team for him soon and he will be playing in New York or Boston or some other big market.
Chase Headley got another night on the bench. He is struggling mightily, having struck out 49 times in 161 abs while hitting just .236/.309/.366/.675 with just 4 home runs. Hardly the hitter the Padres were expecting when they called him up last year.
You have got to wonder how long it will be before he is back in AAA trying to hone his hitting and Macias will be back in San Diego as the 4th outfielder?
Ducksnorts says what I wanted to about Gwynn, but was too angry to type
Monday June 1, 2009
Geoff Young over at Ducksnorts said in a coherent manner what I tried to get across about Gwynn's defense on Saturday. I guess only posting once a week or so has its benefits.
I was so ticked off about how Gwynn cost the Padres that game I was just doing my best not to lace the whole post with profanity. With much gnashing of teeth and cussing under my breath, I pounded out a barely coherent post.
Geoff took a few days and posted a much more eloquent post on Gwynn's performance that started with:
And just maybe Gwynn should take some fielding lessons from his Gold Glove winning father.
Thanks Geoff. Wish I could have said that as well as you did.
Geoff Young over at Ducksnorts said in a coherent manner what I tried to get across about Gwynn's defense on Saturday. I guess only posting once a week or so has its benefits.
I was so ticked off about how Gwynn cost the Padres that game I was just doing my best not to lace the whole post with profanity. With much gnashing of teeth and cussing under my breath, I pounded out a barely coherent post.
Geoff took a few days and posted a much more eloquent post on Gwynn's performance that started with:
Gwynn gave a clinic on how not to play center field. We’ll cut him slack for not tracking down Clint Barmes’ first-inning triple to right-center. If Gwynn lays out for that ball, maybe he catches it. I’ve got enough other gripes that I don’t want a missed highlight reel opportunity to be a sticking point.Then he laid out the three plays Gwynn blew that gave the win to the Rockies. I encourage you to go over to his blog and take a look at the rest of what he wrote about Gwynn. Young has good writing skills (something I don't have) and he took the time to cool down (something I didn't do) before he posted. Maybe I should take a lesson from that.
And just maybe Gwynn should take some fielding lessons from his Gold Glove winning father.
Thanks Geoff. Wish I could have said that as well as you did.
Is Brian Giles finally turning it around?
Monday June 1st, 2009
Brian Giles has gone 9/29 with 5 bb, 3 doubles and a triple in his last 10 games for a .310 BA and a .412 OBP. He has done that against 3 teams, the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Giants, who have good pitching staffs.
That is the Brian Giles we are used to seeing.
The question is, has he finally turned it around and will this be the Brian Giles we will see the rest of the season?
If it is, he is one of the bigger bargains on the market for a RF.
If not and he continues to sit around the Mendoza Line for the rest of the season, he may just be the biggest bust since Andruw Jones.
As a Padres fan I am hoping he does keep it up and his past would indicate he more than likely will.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
Brian Giles has gone 9/29 with 5 bb, 3 doubles and a triple in his last 10 games for a .310 BA and a .412 OBP. He has done that against 3 teams, the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Giants, who have good pitching staffs.
That is the Brian Giles we are used to seeing.
The question is, has he finally turned it around and will this be the Brian Giles we will see the rest of the season?
If it is, he is one of the bigger bargains on the market for a RF.
If not and he continues to sit around the Mendoza Line for the rest of the season, he may just be the biggest bust since Andruw Jones.
As a Padres fan I am hoping he does keep it up and his past would indicate he more than likely will.
I have had my say. Now what do you think?
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