1-Man’s Opinion on Sports–Tuesday “Padres Pitching-Do They Have Enough?”
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“Padres Roster Cuts-Not Easy”
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A tough 48-hours ahead for the Padres decision makers, to get down to the 25-man roster before opening day on Thursday with the Giants.
What I see….what I think…about the team’s biggest question mark.
STARTING PITCHING…They will likely have one of the youngest rotations in baseball this spring (24Y), but anything, potential, is better than what we saw last year (5.03-ERA) from the starters.
Joey Lucchesi, Eric Lauer, Chris Paddack, Matt Strahl will anchor it. All four had really good Cactus League outings. Unresolved is what happens at number five, and who you trust if you having injuries to the top four in the rotation.
..Logan Allen-does not appear ready with a (15.43-ERA) this spring and a couple of bad outings the last two times out.
..Cal Quantrill-in 12 innings this spring, 13-runs allowed-21 hits allowed and lousy defense behind him. Does not appear dominant yet with too many baserunners on board.
..Bryan Mitchell…they’ve been trying for a year plus to unlock the mystery of his talent without any consistency from appearance to appearance. Demoted out of rotation (4.85-ERA) they might have to give him the ball since there is no one else they can trust, and not sure they can really trust him.
..Robbie Erlin…the metrics as a starter are not as good as a reliever, but in an emergency, you can use him as your fifth guy in the rotation once in awhile, but long-term, hasn’t showed any dominance.
THE KIDS..Who’s ready, who’s not, who knows?
..Jacob Nix-headed for the DL to start the season-but has shown some flashes-but likely needs more minor league seasoning.
..Nick Margavecius-the most consistent of the guys competing for the 5th spot with (4.50-ERA) but has not pitched much above AA-how big a jump is it?
..Luis Perdomo-has regressed and is gone to El Paso dragging with him a (12.59-ERA) and the mystery question, what happened to all the promise we saw in the first year and a half in San Diego?
..Brett Kennedy-the lat strain in the shoulder has put him on the shelf for six weeks, but his late season appearances last year did not give you an indication he could get the job done at the major league level.
BULLPEN… seems set with the return of Kirby Yates, anchored by setup men Craig Stammen, Phil Mason, Trey Wingenter and Robert Stock. The long man has to be Robbie Erlin, who hasn’t shown much consistency as a starter.
There are choices among others to fill out the staff.
..Brad Wieck…is behind the curve right now recovering from his battle with testicular cancer.
..Jose Castillo…a tough loss, on the 60-day DL with arm problems, but likely back June 1st.
..Aaron Loup…1-bad outing, but as a situational guy, left-hander vs left-hander, his (2.84-ERA) should merit consideration.
..Sammy Solis…does not appear ready and the question is he really healthy and sound…a bad year in Washington followed up by a couple of bad outings with the Padres (15.43-ERA) in Arizona. A great uncertainty unless he is willing to go to El Paso to figure it out.
..Adam Warren…could be a real addition here, based on track record other places, and a (2.08-ERA) in limited appearances in the spring. Might be a bargain acquisition.
..Eric Yardley…no one is talking about him at all, but those were 9-innings of work in Cactus League without an earned run allowed. A likely ticket though back to farm system at least to start the season.
ON THE OUTSIDE…Dallas Keuchel is still available as a free agent signing. The Indians are still shopping either Trevor Bauer or Corey Kluber. Miami’s Dan Straily just became free after the Marlins DFA’d him. But the Padres seem intent on staying within to answer the questions still about pitching.
We’ll know by Wednesday night, who goes, who stays, and who gets slotted for what roles.
A good Cactus League spring, but not a complete pitching staff yet.
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