Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 13, 2015

It was hangover day in the Cactus League today, as most of the everyday position players who played in yesterday’s Will Ferrell extravaganza took today off. Don’t get me wrong, it was a heck of a party and no regrets for all the the Ferrell cocktail consumed, but it did take a toll on the starting lineups today if you were a fan coming to watch your favorite big name player.  None the less, it was a great opportunity for others to get some early inning playing time, and the Padres starting nine took it to the Angels in Tempe 7-3.

So who made the most of their opportunity to show off today? Let’s take a look…

• Tyson Ross – Three pretty good innings today, with a slider that looked mid season sharp.  He did issue a couple of walks in the first that led to a run, but got sharper as the outing went on.  The rhythm got smoother allowing for better location of the fastball to compliment the slider that induced more swings and misses than any other pitch last year. Good day’s work for Tyson on his way to getting ready for the regular season.
• Jake Goebbert – Talk about making the most of your chance, Jake hit 2 doubles today, one to left and the other to right driving in a run, and scoring two runs himself in the process.
• Alex Dickerson – Dude can hit!  He showed it once again today with a triple in the RCF gap that scored two. Very curious to see what he can accomplish this year with a healthy lower half to get those hands to the plate on a daily basis.
• Tommy Medica – I’ve said it before and I’ll type it again here…En Fuego! That’s “On Fire” for our gringo friends. Two more hits today, a single and a double.  Granted the single was blooper but it’s the only of his team leading 8 hits that hasn’t been hit on the screws.  He also had a nice dig at first on a short hopped throw.  Nice day all around for him as he fights to secure a roster spot.
• Yangervis Solarte – Normally when you are in a position battle and you start the spring by hitting .389, you would think he has the inside track.  The truth is however, that not only has he not yet locked down the third base job, but may actually be playing catch up as his competition, Middlebrooks, is hitting .467 with 2 home runs…sheesh!  Yangervis had two more hits today while playing a solid second base.  Whether it’s as the third baseman, or a super utility player that can hit from both sides, he’s having a great spring and making strong push to be on that opening day roster.
• Cory Spangenberg – Nice job at the plate today with three productive at bats. The first was a sacrifice fly that drove in the fourth run. Next was a 2-out, 2-strike RBI single. Finally he worked a walked, all while playing third base.
• Austin Hedges – He’s defensively ready to catch in the big leagues right now. He showed a positive sign with the bat today by shortening up his swing with two strikes to hit a line drive opposite field driving in two runs.  Good approach and perfect execution – nice to see him rewarded for it.
• Scott Elbert – The vetean lefty coming back from TJ surgery inherited runners at first and third with one out and stranded them both.  He followed that up with scoreless ninth to lock down the win.  His left handed experience could be very helpful in the bullpen before all is said and done in 2015.

Injury update: Not good news on the Federowicz front.  He had surgery today and it was discovered that the repairs needed in his knee were greater than expected with the meniscus being torn.  He will likely miss 3-6 months.

Tomorrow Cashner will go for the Friars against the Rangers in Peoria. It will be the lefty Randy Jones and I bringing you the call on the mighty 1090 at 1:05.  Hope you’ll join us!

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