Padres Spring Training Report – Feb. 25, 2015

Chalk it up as a perfect first full squad workout day for the 2015 Padres!  The perfect weather was there, the intrigued media was there, the expectant Padres fans were there, proud ownership was there, and most importantly all of the energized players were there to get this exciting new era of Padres baseball under way.

After addressing his team behind closed doors, Buddy then spoke with the media answering with his usual blend of humor and deftness the inquiries from an unusually large (where’d they all come from?  Who cares, welcome!) of local and national reporters .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was ownership’s turn to answer questions about the organization that under their oversight has been able to turn it’s culture and direction around less like an ocean liner (which is what most teams seem to emulate when changing their direction), and more like a Navy SEAL RIB boat – on a dime with machine guns blaring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under perfectly clear, sunny skies and a slight breeze blowing Glenn Hofmann gathered the troops around for some final instructions before strength coach, Brett McCabe, gave the order to start the warmup program, and it was under way.  The period for this new collection of talent to start preparing themselves individually for the upcoming season, and just as importantly to come together as a team had begun.

Buddy was of course asked by the press to share what he told the team in his meeting with the team this morning, and of course Buddy passed on the opportunity to divulge what message he gave to his troops.  Only he and the players know what was said, but there were clues that one of the themes of his team address was about coming together as a unit.  Perfect message to give to a group with a lot of new faces, exceptional talent, and varying contract statuses.  Guys naturally try to figure out their role on the club, in the clubhouse, and in the games when they join a new team.  The more this group can focus on putting personal goals on the back burner, and put the success of the team first the more everyone will benefit both short term and long.

As I stood there alongside other members of the organization watching the projected starting infielders taking ground balls on Field 1, and then PFP’s, it quickly became apparent we all had the same feeling.  Owners, executives, scouts, fans, and media alike were all saying to whoever was standing nearby how great it was to be watching this first full team workout, and to finally be watching this collection of players  working out together.

So how did it go?  Splendi…I mean fantastically well!  Everyone looked good, and while I spent most of my time on Field 1 today, thus not getting a chance to see the workout taking place on Field 2, what I can say is that the energy in on the field I watched during the drills was tremendous.  Lots of hustle, lots of athleticism, great efforts to convert even the impossible plays.  It was fun watching these guys! It was not the usual first day, “let’s play it safe so I don’t hurt myself on day one” tempo.  Guys were going hard and trying to out do each other on both ends of the play.  I think fungo master Hoffman sensed it as well, and started hitting balls a little firmer and a little further to give guys the chance to show off, and they responded.

Leading the way was Yonder Alonso who was the human vacuum cleaner at first, picking everything and hitting pitchers in the chest with rangy off balance throws as they covered first. I’ve often stated both on air and in my articles that in my opinion Alonso is underrated with the glove, and one of the better defensive firstbaeman in the league, and showed me today that he hasn’t lost anything during the off season.  Solarte looked comfortable with first base mitt on his hand as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it was all said and done some of the fans watching actually started applauding, albeit sheepishly as no one ever applauds an infield practice, but they were so entertained by the energy, effort, and fun plays that they had just unexpectedly witnessed it was as though they still felt compelled to somehow outwardly acknowledge how much they enjoyed and appreciated what they had just watched.

Infield and PF drills went fine, as just explained.  Batting practice seemed to go well also.  New hitting coach, Mark Kotsay, has made it clear that there will be a different approach to the routine this spring.  Guys will still get early work done in the indoor cages, but he is expecting to have more work done on the actual fields with guys seeing more “live” pitching (either by coaches or machine) to get more swings in against balls being thrown.  Kemp, Venable, and Maybin were all in the same group, and although the competition for playing time for the latter two is partly due to the arrival of the former, there was no visible tension.  In fact, Kemp and Venable appeared to be talking and sharing a laugh together on their way over to the cage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bullpens went fine once again, with relievers throwing their last bullpens before facing live hitters next time out.  Didn’t get to see both groups throw today as I usually do, as I was watching some of the hitters take BP, but in the group I watched Campos again stood out to me with his consistency in hitting his spots down on the zone.

So to summarize day one of full squad workouts for the Padres was by all appearances was an all around smashing success.  This may sound a little odd, but one my favorite moments of the day didn’t take place on the field, but instead during the press conference with Ron Fowler, Peter Seidler, and Mike Dee.  First, in his comments Mike said “San Diego is not a small market”…say wha?  That was followed up with Peter saying, “A.J. (Preller) is fiercely competitive, and so is this organization…it’s not about ‘hope’ anymore, it’s about expectation, and one of my favorite phrases I’ve learned from Ron is ‘Continuous improvement’ which is what we are committed to.”

I loved it!!! In the past month Mike Dee has now publicly stated that San Diego is not a small market club, and that the goal is championship baseball.  Those declarations along with Peter’s comments are such a change in philosophy coming from the top that I think it’s worth noting and celebrating.  No more of the “we’re a poor little small market club that at best can only hope to be competitive” crap that’s been used for so long as a crutch.  No more setting the bar of expectation low so as not to disappoint. No more easy justification for mediocrity.  No more excuses…it’s time to win!

There’s a saying I recently heard that I think applies here – “If you want to take the island, you have to burn the boats.”   The Padres leadership has been burning their boats. They’ve not just given lip service to making improvements but have put their money where there mouth is, and appear to be committed to taking the island and bringing championship baseball to San Diego…YES!

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