With 4 video games down in spring coaching, the Padres have seen a number of promising outings from gamers with huge query marks going into the season.
In comparison with final 12 months, a majority of this spring’s headlines surrounding the Padres encompass positional battles to observe for. Provided that San Diego fields what appears like an incomplete roster, spring coaching might determine a number of roles throughout the beginning lineup and rotation.
With that being mentioned, let’s get into three new or younger Padres who’ve impressed essentially the most up to now, and have probably gotten the sting in these battles.
Left fielder Jackson Merrill
Regardless of being labeled because the No.4 ranked shortstop prospect on MLB.com, it is develop into apparent that San Diego plans for Merrill to develop into a left fielder. He is already recorded 10 innings at that spot in two video games and has proven some severe athleticism, most notably making a diving catch whereas operating to his proper on a line drive.
The perfect a part of his recreation has all the time been his hitting means, which he is placed on show up to now. In his most up-to-date recreation on Sunday in opposition to the Chicago Cubs, he went two for 2 with a double, two runs batted in and a run scored.
Even after the Padres formally signed Jurickson Profar, they nonetheless have simply two different outfielders on the 40-man roster (Fernando Tatis Jr and Jose Azocar). Merrill is making a powerful case to be the fourth and probably the Opening Day left fielder.
Left-hander Yuki Matsui
Though Robert Suarez is ready to be the Padres nearer to open the season, Matsui may very well be making a powerful case to be thought of for the job as nicely.
Regardless of San Diego dropping 14-1 of their Cactus League opener in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Matsui was a brilliant spot. He got here in through the third inning already down 8-0 and delivered an absolute gem. Although he was in for simply that inning he struck out all three batters confronted with the primary two being on whiffs and the second on a foul tip.
He already has quite a lot of expertise being a better as he recorded 236 saves (per Baseball Reference) throughout his 10 years enjoying within the NPB. Standing at simply 5’8″ and 165 lbs, he is not the most important man on the mound, however has proven early on he can put batters away.
Proper-hander Jairo Iriarte
Very similar to Merrill, Iriarte could also be on the cusp of profitable himself a spot on the Opening Day roster. He had his Cactus League debut on Saturday the place he didn’t disappoint.
He confronted three batters in his one inning of labor, managing to make fast outs of all of them. What was extra spectacular is that each pitch he threw was registered as a strike (per MLB.com)
As of now, he can discover himself in a battle for the fifth beginning pitcher position within the Padres rotation. FanGraphs presently predicts Randy Vasquez within the spot however with simply 41 days of service time, Iriarte might steal it away if he continues with a powerful spring coaching. Even when he cannot make it as a starter the Padres can by no means have too many bullpen arms.
