Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 22, 2015

Tommy Medica – En Fueeeeego!!!  Figured I would just start with that and get it out of the way early today.  He had yet another rocket home run, his 4th of the spring, while raising his RBI total to 11.  His batting average dipped, however, with the 1 for 2 to .556.  He’s hitting everything hard!

Ok, now that the daily “Medica En Fuego” shout out is out of the way, we can get back to the rest of the team. The Friars beat the Cubs today 6-1, behind some great starting pitching by Shields and late inning punch off the Padres bench.

The highlights…

• James Shields – Vintage Shields working fast, efficient, and ultimately going 5 scoreless and hitless innings, while punching out 6.  His only less than perfect moment came with 2 outs in the second when he walked a pair back to back, but worked out of it and retired the next 10 in a row. Oh, and had his second hit of the spring. Hey, he told everyone he could hit and is backing the talk up with action!
• Yangervis Solarte – Only 1 hit, but 3 excellent defensive plays all coming in the same inning.  First was a charging off balance, bare hand play on an off the end squibbler with the shift on. One of the rangiest plan I’ve seen a third baseman make while playing in the shortstop position during a lefty pull shift. Then it was a pop-up chased down in foul territory near the third base stands, again covering a ton of real estate from the lefty shift SS position.  Finally he snared a hot shot liner that literally knocked him over but he held on.  El Hombre is having a great spring at the plate and at every position Buddy puts him at.
• Brett Wallace – The big left hand hitter had two more hits today, including a single to set the table for Medica’s HR, and then drove in 2 himself with another single though the right side. He’s made the most of his late inning playing time hitting .412 (7/17) while getting some work at mostly 1B and a little 3B.  He’ll likely start in AAA, but could be a nice left handed bat to call upon during the season.
• Abraham Almonte – Also with two hits today, including a triple with a run scored and a stolen base. Like wallace likely to start in AAA, but good to see his speed is back after his ankle injury that cut his season short at the end of last season.
• Frank Garces – Called in to get the lefty Rizzo out and put out the rally with two outs in the 6th, and simply got the job done.  He retired the next lefty to start the 7th and his day was done. He’s appeared in 7 games this spring, is sporting a 2.70 ERA, and has looked the same out there as he did last season when called up – completely calm and in control of the situation. He’s ice from everything I’ve seen, and could be an asset out of the ‘pen on opening day.
• Nick Vincent – Also came in and did his job…again.  Six outings this spring and yet to allow a run while striking out eight. The cutter’s been filthy and he’s picked up this spring right where he left off last season – mowing batters down.
• Brandon Maurer – After missing 12 days due to a sore back, he’s healthy and has thrown great in his two outings since his return to the hill.  Fastball has great velocity, life, and location in the zone complimented by a wipe out slider.  He probably wants to return the rotation at some point, but he could be so dominating as a reliever he may never get the chance, and that’s where he’ll start this season with a good shot of being with the big league club on opening day.
• Tommy Medica – EN FUEGO!!!

The Padres sent down 6 more players today.  Erlin, Campos, and Kelly were optioned to AAA, while Wisler, Goris, and Jackson were reassigned to minor league camp. With those moves the Pads have 45 players in camp.  Maybe one of these reports we’ll do an update of how the position battles are going, who may have the edge in making the opening day roster, and decisions still to be made.

Tomorrow the Pads will host the White Sox with Cashner going to the mound for the Friars.  The game will not be on radio or webcast but will be televised. Our next broadcast will be Wednesday at 1:05 on Mighty 1090. Talk with you then!

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