Padres Spring Training Report – Feb. 28, 2014

So the good news right now is that spring training means absolutely nothing!  At least that’s what you say when your team loses 12-1 like the Padres did to the Mariners today.  After yesterday’s 7-1 loss to Seattle it wasn’t that hard to find several bright spots amongst the pitchers, and the defense.  Today, frankly, it feels a little tougher…buts lets give it a try.

• Andrew Cashner – Not as sharp as he can be with his fastball command, but still made pitches when he needed to and posted 2 scoreless innings.
• Joaquin Benoit – Solid scoreless inning that included some nasty change ups (fosh balls) that dropped off a table.
• Corey Spangenberg – Made several nice plays in the field showing off some range at 2B that I had not seen before.  One of the plays was up the middle and required twisting off balance throw to finish it and he did.  The other a nice charging play on a slow roller. Add to that base hit and I’d say that’s a pretty nice day.
• Ryan Jackson – Was charged with a really tough error in the first, but came back to play solid defense, and had a 2B at the plate. He’s off to a good start in his bid to make the team possibly as a bench player.
• These young players that are getting opportunities to play right now instead of Headley, Quentin, Cabrera, and Grandal, (all of whom have yet to play yet this spring), in some cases may appear to be in a little deep over their heads right now, but are going to be a little bit more experienced and relaxed the next time the ball is hit to them, the next time they get in that batters box, and the next time they are standing on that mound.

Ok, so it wasn’t that hard to find some bright spots in today’s game.  Here’s a couple of others that emerged today.

• Chase Headley – He’s playing catch.  No, he’s not swinging the bat yet, but at least he continues to progress and is starting to resume some baseball activities so that is a good sign.
• Jonathan Galvez –  After slightly strained hi right groin the second day of workouts he was cleared today to resume full activity and was able to play in the game today.  So, Jonny G is back.
• Keyvius Sampson – He also had a slight groin strain but is apparently cleared to resume full activities as well.
• Thanks to Wayne Partello we got an ISDN line for the webcasts now so that you can actually listen to them without it sounding like we are broadcasting from a submarine in the South Pacific.  Thanks Wayne!!!!

And the most lasting bright spot was seeing the star with “JC” in the middle of it honoring Jerry Coleman that was painted underneath the press box here in peoria to honor him.  Thank you Peoria for doing that…we miss you Jerry!

So, all said and done there are a lot of good things happening in Peoria for the Pads, the most meaningful being no major injuries thus far (knock on wood…and I just did!).  Guys are doing what they need to do to get ready for opening day, and there are a lot of teams throughout MLB right now that would gladly trade spring medical reports with the Friars at this juncture.  So let’s keep some healthy perspective, and be grateful for what is happening which is guys are simply getting ready for March 30th, and that’s what matters.

Did I mention that spring training win a loss records mean absolutely nothing?  It’s true!  Until, of course, the Pads win tomorrow, and then I’ll be saying how important it is to have those confidence building W’s for you club even during spring.  Hey, both statements are true, so let’s jus keep watching and enjoying some baseball in the desert.

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