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“PADRES–MID TERM REPORT CARD”
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Padres baseball in 2024 is alot of things.

Choppy waters in Mission Bay.  Air Turbulence above the airport.  Traffic at the 5-805 rush hour interchange.  Very frustrating.

For every bright moment, like the opening week wins with the Dodgers, beating the Yankees, there have been awful moments too, the lousy losses to the Rockies-Angels etc.

Here’s a mid season report card on what we have seen.

GM-AJ PRELLER..The money faucet has been shut off, he’s had to turn in his credit card.  The non stop spending is over.  He made his trading deadline deals early with the White Sox and Marlins.  He has maybe 8M-left in budget space to try and find a key player and they have told him he cannot trade any more bluechip prospects.  He’s found some players but the roster we have, has to do it, to rally the season, and maybe save his job.  Grade (B).

MIKE SCHILDT…Has regained the clubhouse, is the voice of reason on the team, but game strategy has to be questioned.  They may lead the world in running themselves out of rallies; the overuse of the bullpen has led to borderline burnout; they cannot throw out baserunners.  A decent job, but with a 160M payroll and established stars, struggling not to fall 10-games back of first place LA is a challenge.  Grade (B)

YU DARVISH..Is age catching up with him, these nagging injuries and all. A solid second half is important for him at age (37) and for this team to make and do something in the playoffs.  Grade (C).

JOE MUSGROVE…A self made power pitcher who has started to break down.  5-injuries in 14-months and what’s happened now, bone spur and the shoulder capsule issues are serious.  Not his fault, but not the pitcher he made himself into.  Grade (D)

DYLAN CEASE…Some good, some bad. Has all the makings of an ace, with 8-starts and a (2.19-ERA) and then 8-starts (6.29-ERA).  They need him to be an ace.  Betting on a bounceback.  Grade (B)

MICHAEL KING…Real bulldog despite walks and home runs.  Really battles on the mound.  Everything they thought he could be.  Grade (B)

MATT WALDRON…He may have saved the first half of the season, with his last 9-starts (1.83-ERA).  A diverse array of a fastball at 91 and the curve and the dancing knuckler.  Great first half.  Grade (A)

RANDY VASQUEZ…Good innings-bad innings, too many base runners, and defenses that have saved his bacon.  Everyone needs a 5th starter, but..but..but.  Grade (C)

ADAM MAZUR…Forced recall by injuries.  Did not get rattled, but not ready for the show.  Too many walks-hits.  A future could include him-not now though.  Grade (D)

JHONNY BRITO..Likely long reliever, has some live stuff but is up and down.  Grade (C)

ADRIAN MOREJON…Been waiting a long time for a prospect to become key guy.  After all these years in system, thought he would be in rotation by now rather than 1-inning guy.  Seems to be potential, but when?  Grade (B)

ROBERT SUAREZ…Been a long travelled road but has arrived as closer.  Worked really hard in Japan and has improved greatly here with location.  Grade (A).

JEREMY ESTRADA…Flashes of specialness, but then segments of still being young.  There is upside for sure.  Now to harness consistency as Suarez setup guy.  Grade (B).

STEVEN KOLEK..Rule 5-guy they want to keep so they will slot him and use his velocity.  Lots of learning still to take place.  Grade (C)

YAKI MATSUI..Up and down but he is a veteran so you trust him.  Too many walks but in big picture-trustworthy more times than not.  Grade (B)

ENYEL DE LOS SANTOS…Too many home run balls, but has a workhorse
arm.  Can you really trust him and his stuff?  Grade (C)

TOM COSGROVE…Fine season last year, disappointing season this year but is now back.  Jury out if he is solid or just a journeyman hanging on.  Grade (D)

LUIS ARRAEZ…Hits everything in and out of strike zone.  Better with glove than anyone thought.  Grade (A)

JAKE CRONENWORTH..Worked hard after two seasons of skids.  So valuable so many places.  Grade (A)

HA SEONG KIM…A season of turmoil, with low average, bunch of throwing errors, nailed on the basepaths.  Pressure of impending free agent year may have something to do with this.  Grade (C)

MANNY MACHADO…Never comes out of lineup and has played most games of any regular player since 2015.  Battling the elbow surgery and then the hip issue.  Needs to hit back  to star status for the second half of season.  Grade (B).

TYLER WADE…Super utilityman but does not hit much.  Grade (C)

JACKSON MERRILL…Rookie of the Year candidate.  Not overwhelmed by the stage he is on.  Now showing power plus average, plus glove, plus arm.  Should be hot candidate Rookie of the Year.  Grade (A)

FERNANDO TATIS…Taking next step back to stardom status, with power displays and the nights he goes (4-for-4).  Not quite the 42-home run hitter of years ago, but headed there, even if he is banged up.  Grade (B).

JURICKSON PROFAR…Has found a home finally…what a value…this is a career year…a difference maker.  Grade (A)

XANDER BOGAERTS..Cruel season with position change, lousy start, then getting hurt.  Need him to be ‘X’ when he gets back in August.  Grade (C)

LUIS CAMPUSANO…Looks to be, but not the complete catcher yet.  Gives up too many stolen bases, passed balls, and had a stretch he hit (.049) so this is work in progress.  Grade (C)

KYLE HIGASIOKA…Yankees probably wish they still had him.  Trustworthy on defense and can hit, for a backup.   Solid.  Grade (B)

JOSE AZOCAR…Just a guy.  Grade (C)

DAVID PERALTA…Worried bat speed has gone away.  Thought could be a strong role player.  Not yet.  Grade (D)

DONOVAN SOLANO..Have bat, will get some hits and play bunch of fill in roles.  Grade (B)

Here comes the 2nd half.
Some people need a better final 80-games.

Dreams of a 90-win playoff season are gone, done in by the Dodgers roster and the Padres injury issues.

End of season grades?  A bunch have to have strong second halves.

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