Framing the Friars: Bryan Mitchell’s Wild Streak Leads to Rough Night for Friars
SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 2: Bryan Mitchell #50 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at PETCO Park on April 2, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
San Diego, California
When the San Diego Padres took on the contract of Chase Headley (at $13 million for the 2018 season) in a trade with the Yankees, there was a plan.
Losing Jabari Blash was of no issue to the team, as they did not have room for his bat in an already overcrowded outfield. Blash was DFA’d by the Yankees in the spring and claimed by the Angels. Even the Yankees had no serious interest in the big outfielder. The real player of value, and the reason why the Padres took on $13 million, was to get their hands on a young pitcher by the name of Bryan Mitchell, a pitcher the team had coveted for a couple of seasons.
The right-handed hurler was assured a starting spot in the rotation during the spring as the coaching staff was excited about his addition to the team.
On Thursday night, as the Padres started a seven-game homestand, he was on the mound. Mitchell had little no control early as he walked Joe Panik to begin the game. Through the first inning, Mitchell allowed three runs to score on two hits, and walked three in the inning. It did not get better for the pitcher.
He ended up going three innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with a total of five walks on the night. Mitchell was removed after just 61 pitches as Andy Green elected to pinch hit Clayton Richard for him in the bottom of the third. To much amazement, Richard singled, which turned out to be the only hit for the Friars.
Yes, it was that kind of day for the Padres as they lost 7-0 in a game that they were never in. The team looked stale and disinterested. Troubling for a team that was coming off a bench-clearing brawl the day before.
Colten Brewer made his major league debut for the Padres and allowed four unearned runs to score on four hits and a walk in 0.2 innings pitched. A key error by third baseman Christian Villanueva was costly. Villanueva continues to look suspect at third base as later in the game, a base hit went right through him to left. His bat has cooled off dramatically as well. If you removed his three-homer game versus the Rockies, his numbers would be flat-out disheartening. The rotation at third will probably continue for now.
Austin Hedges, however, continues to dazzle with the glove no matter what the score is. Check out this effort from the catcher:
Are you kidding?! ð® Austin Hedges makes an incredible double play! #LetsGoPadres
FSGO: https://t.co/4aEEVSptNu pic.twitter.com/bR5q97l7Ht
â FOX Sports San Diego (@FOXSportsSD) April 13, 2018
The Padres need players like this who continue to hustle despite the score. Hedges is a keeper.
For the Giants on Thursday, Chris Stratton was very effective. He kept the Padres from barreling up baseballs, going seven shutout innings, allowing only one hit and walking three. He was not dominant, as he only struck out four batters. The Padres just failed to execute.
The Padres will turn to Tyson Ross for Friday’s game. The right-hander is 1-1 on the year with a 5.25 ERA.
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.
Mitchell did not merely have a bad night, he is not a good pitcher. He is what others have said, a AAA pitcher. It’s not his fault, it’s Preller’s. Now they are stuck with him AND Headley (and they threw away 13 million).
I’m not so quick to label the trade a bust. Jabari Blash was giving this club zero value, so to flip him for a league average third baseman and take a flier on a young pitcher with upside I I think was a good move by Preller. Mitchell has upside, he pitched well for four innings against the Astros last week. I’m not so quick to give up on him.
Yes, a very disheartening loss. Easily the worst of the year so far. Villanueva looks like he’s in over his head, perhaps Headley should be put back in the lineup, he’d be much better defensively anyway. Mitchell looks really bad in the early going, can’t find the strike zone, not good.