Mat Latos starting to show signs of wearing down

Wednesday August 19, 2009

Promising San Diego Padres prospect Mat Latos is showing signs of tiring after throwing 109 2/3 innings this season over 3 levels of baseball from A ball to the majors.

Tonight he gave up 5 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks through 3 2/3 innings in the Padres 7-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. He consistently left his pitches up in the zone and even though he was consistently hitting 96-97 mph on the gun, he got pounded in the 3rd and 4th innings.

With the Padres publicly saying they don't want him to go any more than double his 56 innings pitched in 2008, this was probably the last we will see of Latos starting for the Padres in 2009.

We may see a couple of outings from him coming out of the bullpen, but I doubt the Padres are willing to take a chance on him injuring himself just to extend his stay in San Diego in what is pretty much already a lost season for the team.

I would presume that after what we saw in his first 4 starts, Latos WILL be back in a Padres uniform to start the 2010 season.

Sean Gallagher is about ready to join the team and Carrillo redeemed himself in last nights start after a shaky 1st start, so Latos does not need to pitch just to fill a slot in the rotation.

Poreda may also be called up to fill his spot in the rotation.