Padres News: Your 2016 San Diego Padres 25-Man Roster
Credit: USA Today Sports
Starting Rotation
Tyson Ross #38
The Padres ace has the ability to be one of the best pitchers in the league. His slider is one of the most dominant pitches in the game. The tilt and movement he gets on the pitch is unreal. If Ross can cut down on his walk ratio, he could be in store for a career year. Look for the right-hander to take the step to the next level. He is two years out of free agency, so he has plenty of incentive to find consistency and be the best pitcher he can be.
James Shields #33
The San Diego Padres signed James Shields to be the ace of the staff prior to last season. He had a down year in which he allowed a major league high 33 home runs. The right hander still threw over 200 innings and has a great track record for being durable. In reality Shields numbers were down, but he is still a very useful pitcher to have in your rotation. There have been rumors swirling the team is looking to move him, but it seems like a difficult task with the hefty amount of money still owed to him.
Andrew Cashner #34
This year is extremely important for Andrew Cashner. He is in the last year of his contract before hitting free agency at the end of the year. He has all the motivation he needs to be successful and could have his best year of his career. Cashner has the chance of landing the team a compensation pick for the 2017 MLB draft so it will be interesting to see what the Padres do with him more towards the trade deadline. Cashner could be very popular in late July and the Padres could be tempted to move him for prospects. Cashner doesn’t seem like he wants to stay in SD long-term, so his future with the Padres is cloudy at best.
Drew Pomeranz #13
The left-handed pitcher was named to the starting staff a couple of days ago by manager Andy Green. He was acquired from the Oakland Athletics with Jabari Blash for Yonder Alonso and Marc Rzepczynski. The Padres certainly got some decent immediate returns on the deal as Pomeranz looks to be a very nice pitcher. The Padres have lacked left-handed pitcher in the last few seasons so his arrival is fantastic for the balance of the team and its rotation. Pomeranz will start his season against the Colorado Rockies whom he was originally drafted.
Colin Rea #29
The young right handed pitcher had a breakout year last season for the Padres. He bulked up a little bit this offseason and looks like he has added some velocity on his fastball. He has very solid stuff but is still learning his abilities. The fact the Padres awarded him a spot in the rotation bodes well for their confidence in this young man. Rea will start the season as the #5 starter and could emerge as one of the Padres best starting pitchers.
BULLPEN
Fernando Rodney #56
Losing Craig Kimbrel was a tough loss for the Padres. The team got a huge return for Kimbrel though. Manuel Margot, Javier Guerra, Carlos Asuaje and Logan Allen all seem to be solid prospects as the Padres got one heck of a deal. In filling Kimbrel’s role the Padres signed veteran relief pitcher Fernando Rodney. As recent as a couple of seasons ago he was a dominant force for the Rays. He is not a great long-term answer for the team, but he should be able to fill in adequately this season for the Padres.
Brandon Maurer #37
He was initially given an opportunity to start but after some rough outings and a bout with an illness. He is going to start the year in the bullpen now and that seems like the best spot for him. The right hander was obtained last year from the Seattle Mariners for Seth Smith and has really blossomed. He has outstanding stuff and could really be effective out of the bullpen or in the rotation eventually. At times last season Maurer was the Padres best pitcher.
Carlos Villanueva #23
This veteran right handed pitcher was brought in to solidify the bullpen. He was stretched out a bit early in camp to see if he could start in the rotation, but eventually he was put back in the bullpen where he has typically pitched. Look for him to fill the sixth and seventh inning role with an outside chance to spot start for the team. Villanueva will be very useful for the Padres this year.
Matt Thornton #46
This 39-year-old left-handed pitcher has an excellent track record of getting left-handed batters out. The Padres will definitely get a lot of use out of this pitcher and he could fetch the team a pick come July at the deadline. Teams are always looking for veteran left-handed pitchers for their playoff run and Thornton could be a very valuable addition. The Padres will use him to get lefties out and he will probably throw quite often.
Kevin Quackenbush #59
The right-handed Quackenbush has ice water running through his veins. He is not blessed with a mid to upper 90’s fastball, but he attacks hitters and is very aggressive. Quackenbush has even had experience closing in his brief Padres career. He could be a useful commodity for the Friars this year and could set up for Rodney if needed. The right handed pitcher trained hard this offseason at the IMG academy (in Florida) with Padres prospects Logan Allen and Jacob Nix.
Luis Perdomo #61
The Rule-5 pick from the St. Louis Cardinals made the team because of his very high ceiling. Even thought the right handed pitcher has not pitched higher than A-Ball, the Padres will keep him on their roster in hopes he can be serviceable. Expect Perdomo to throw in games that are blowouts. The Padres will want to take a good long look at Perdomo against major league hitters. He has a solid futre and the Padres are surely thinking about Perdomo and his future with the team beyond the 2016 season.
Ryan Buchter #40
Another surprise addition to the 25-man roster was Ryan Buchter. The left hander has had some very good years in the minor leagues and looks poised to be a nice addition to the team. The Padres have never traditionally had a lot of left-handed options from the mound so have multiple pitchers that are south paws is a great thing. It is nice to have balance in your bullpen. Buchter will need to start off well or he will be a candidate to be sent down for reinforcements.
Josh Martin #49
The third Rule-5 player that might remain on the roster to start the season in right handed pitcher Josh Martin. The Cleveland Indians product had a decent Spring but certainly a surprise addition to the roster. He has very good stuff but just lacks the experience to be successful at the next level. After rosters were named, Martin was promptly DFA’d. It appears the Padres are either trying to clear him through waivers or work out a deal with the Indians. Stay tuned on his future in a Padres uniform.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.