With spring training beginning it's time to look at the San Diego Padres’ projected 26 man roster. The Padres made many moves over the four-month-long offseason. So to start we’ll look at the projected starting rotation, as well as the bullpen.
Rotation: RHPs Zach Davies, Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack, Garrett Richards, LHP Joey Lucchessi
Spring Training games have just kicked into gear, so things should be taken with a grain of salt. The locks for sure are Chris Paddack, Dinelson Lamet, and Garret Richards. These guys have already solidified themselves as starters and likely won’t be dropping out of the starting rotation.
Zach Davies and Joey Lucchesi are currently the favorites for the final two spots, but don’t count out Cal Quantrill, who will do all he can to make the big league roster.
Bullpen: RHPs Craig Stammen, Pierce Johnson, Andres Muñoz, Emilio Pagán, Kirby Yates; LHPs Jose Castillo, Drew Pomeranz, Matt Strahm
The Padres look as though they have the most bullpen depth of any team in the MLB. San Diego has really strong arms in their group after a few signings and a February trade.
Yates will again be the closer for the team, with different arms like Muñoz, who hit triple digits last year, Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagán who will fill in as late inning pitchers.
The rest will more or less remain the same roles as before, and will come in when needed.
The Padres bullpen has much improved from the previous year and may go down as one of the Padres greatest bullpen groups for years to come.
Catchers: Francisco Mejía, Austin Hedges
The offensive-heavy Francisco Mejia and defensive-heavy Austin Hedges will once again pair up for another season. They will most likely be starting about the same number of games, barring any injuries. Mejia will be brought in when the Padres need an extra bat and Hedges will be brought in when the Pads need a stellar defensive catcher behind the plate.
Mejía provided an extra pop in the Padres lineup last season, and will continue that while playing an average defense behind the mound.
Hedges was named a Gold Glove finalist last season, and that is what he will continue to bring for the Padres. He is a very inconsistent hitter and will need a pinch-hitter at times, but his defense will earn him a decent number of starts as well as a late-inning defensive replacement with a lead.
Infielders: Ty France, Greg Garcia, Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Fernando Tatis Jr.
Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., two record-breaking contracts and a young stud will play their second season in the infield with each other. The three form one of the best infields in the National League, although two had off years for their standards.
The struggle for the infield will come at second base, where once highly-rated prospect Luis Urias once stood, there is now a hole. Four infielders will likely get time there in Jake Cronenworth, Ty France, Greg Garcia and Jurickson Profar, and possibly even Brian Dozier, who signed with San Diego on a minor-league contract in February.
Outfielders: Franchy Cordero, Trent Grisham, Wil Myers, Josh Naylor, Tommy Pham
The acquisition of Tommy Pham was huge for the Padres, as he will provide consistency to a below-average lineup, as well as playing stellar defense in the outfield. Trent Grisham looks as though he has the center field spot locked down and it will come down to Cordero, Naylor, and Myers for the starting spot in right field, where each of them will likely spend time.
Josh Naylor will finally solidify himself on the 26 man roster and will make a big impact for the Pads. Naylor lost over 20 pounds before coming into spring training, which will help his defense a lot after a dismal defensive season.
The Padres will weigh all their options and things will most likely shift as the season progresses. This unit is really great, with great defensive prowess and consistent hitting, along with pop when needed.