Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 27, 2015

The Padres topped the Rockies tonight 7-5 in come from behind fashion scoring 3 in the bottom of the 8th.  That was the outcome, but here’s what mattered…

• James Shields – Not his best outing of the spring.  Not terrible, but he did allow 3 earned runs over 4 1/3 innings of work.  He clearly fatigued at the end, having reached his pitch count. He has one more start before opening day.  The most important thing for him in this outing was that he pushed his pitch count up, and had to work out of the stretch with runners in scoring position.  It was all part of getting ready for when it really counts.
• Yonder Alonso – 2 fo 2 tonight with a walk and 3 runs scored.  Good at bats staying inside the ball well and using the whole field. Also made some nice scoops at first saving errors.
• Matt Kemp – 2 line drive doubles to center field tonight. Continues to swing the bat well, and so far has played a fine right field, which was a concern for many in the national media.
• Justin Upton – Sac Fly to deep center, and a single.  He, also, has played a very solid left field defying the predictions of his critics.
• Will Middlebrooks – 2 hits tonight and an RBI.  Continues to show his wrists are healthy and strong with the ability to hit the ball with power and to all fields. Has also continued to play a well above average third base.
• Alexi Amarista – 2 more hits tonight as he continues to focus on using the entire field.  Has played a solid SS all spring, and just seems more confident in his status as a primary player at a key position.  Defensively and offensively seems more committed to improving his skills rather than proving he belongs.  It’s a maturation process that should allow him to more freely explore and hone his abilities.
• Will Venable – His 2-run double gave the Padres the lead in the 8th.
• Cameron Maybin – As good a full out diving play running in as we’ve seen all spring.
• Quackenbush, Kelley – Both scoreless efforts.  Kelley has gotten sharper and stronger each outing (especially the slider), and seems ready for opening day to help the back end of the ‘pen.
• Brandon Maurer – Closed it out tonight, which was fine.  But it was the way he did it that left an impression on me tonight.  He worked fast, and aggressively pounding the bottom part of the zone with explosive fastballs.  I know he’s viewed as a starter temporarily working out of the ‘pen, but in my opinion he could be at a minimum an overmpoering set up man, and based on what I witnessed tonight maybe a no-nonsense closer.
• Frank Garces – 1 1/3 scoreless…again.  Once again showed consistent command of the low outside corner to lefties with his fastball and hard curve.  I’ll take him right now against any lefty in the league.  Sure he’s young, and there are still hurdles that he will need to be prove he can overcome, but so far he’s showing the stuff, the command, and the cojones to do it.

We went over some of the decisions that will need to be made in the next week in yesterday’s report. The best news for the Pads this spring is that almost all of the decisions are being made from a position of strength, and amongst players who are performing up to the competitive challenge.

Tomorrow we should get our first look at Jandel Gustave, who is a Rule V player claimed off waivers.  This means that he would need to stay with the MLB club the entire season (don’t see it), otherwise he would have to be put through waivers, and if he clears then he would have to offered back to the Astros (the team that lost him in the Rule V draft), in exchange for $25K.  Another scenario would be for the Pads to offer a trade to keep him if they like what they see over the next week.

Padres will travel to Surprise to play the Rangers tomorrow.  Ted Leitner and myself will bring the action on The mighty 1090 at 1:00.  Hope you join us!

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