To lead you into the MLB season Stoop Sports’ MLB staff is embarking on a 30 day journey, where we will give you pre-season profiles of all thirty teams. Each writer was given the artistic liberty to format their previews to their liking. Enjoy, and happy spring training!
Teddy Chassin-
The Padres had a 76-86 record in 2012, good for fourth in the NL West. However, some Padres fans may find that misleading. After getting off to a poor 17-35 start, the Padres’ record over their final 110 games was 59-51. This on its own may not mean much, but it definitely gives San Diego fans a reason to get excited about the 2013 season.
Chase Headley is looking like a stud, positive regression can be reasonably expected from Cameron Maybin, Carlos Quentin should have a fuller season, andYonder Alonso has showed some promise. Aside from a record that heated up at the end of last season, these are the things that are propelling the Padres into the year; a youthful foundation that could make some noise.
It’s impossible to tell what Yasmani Grandal will do when he returns from his 50-game PED related suspension, but he showed signs of game changing ability in 2012. Additionally, OF Will Veneble, OF Chris Denorfia, 2B Logan Forsythe, 1B/OF Jesus Guzman, and UTIL Alexi Amarista have proven to be useful in varying degrees.
Staff ace Cory Luebke and flamethrower Andrew Cashner should get healthy, to join a staff that already includes Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard, Anthony Bass, and Casey Kelly. You can make a very respectable 5 man rotation using these guys, but pitching consistency could provide the Padres with problems.
Huston Street has been a very good closer when healthy, leading a bullpen with arms like Luke Gregerson, Dale Thayer, and Joe Thatcher.
Clearly, there is a lot to be optimistic about with the Padres. Having said that, this was still a 76 win team in 2012. They didn’t make any major roster changes between now and then, so expecting great things is likely a little unreasonable. However, I expect a few more things to go right for this team in 2013. I’ll peg them at 82-80. If more than a few things go right for them, they could be looking at the second NL Wild Card, and then anything’s possible. The Padres have a good group of young talent, and now is a good time to be a fan of the team. It may not mean success in 2013, but who knows?
82-80, 3rd place in the NL West
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I appreciate the enthusiasm for the Padres! Hopefully momentum from the second half of last season gets them into gear a little quicker. One note: though I agree with the intended statement for CF Cameron Maybin, calling it a “positive regression” is an oxymoron as regression, by definition, means that you’re settling back into a ‘less developed state.’ You could say “a late change in mechanics to his swing produced results, and many expect that production to carry over into this season.”
Also, just found this site, LOVE the name of it, mainly because my last name is Stoops! I have a baseball blog over at stoopsball.com if you want to check it out. I also think it’s pretty cool that all of you are around my age. Fun stuff. Take care, guys.