Franmil Reyes Recalled from El Paso
Credit: E.Killian/ EVT Sports
The San Diego Padres are presently transitioning into an evaluation mode.
As the days and series’ continue, upper management realizes that this team will not surprise anyone and be a contender. That is just the sad reality. It’s not a big deal, though, as the odds of winning were slim for this team building from the ground up.
In recent days, the team has DFA’d Chase Headley, promoted Cory Spangenberg, and now has recalled Franmil Reyes from Triple-A El Paso. Reyes, 22, was mashing in the PCL, and this move was definitely deserving. Franmil spent some time in major league camp this Cactus League, and I caught up with him a few times. Here are some links to those articles.
Franmil and I became relatively close as I grew to know about him and his family. The man is possessed with getting better. “Determined” is not the correct word to use to describe him as he easily surpasses that with his work ethic. He realizes he has issues with his game and is unafraid to listen to critique and get better. That is rare in this day and age where ballplayers put out the aura that they know everything. He is teachable and will get better in time.
The 6-foot-5 Dominican is a breath of fresh air, in a business that can be crippling to some. He is an awesome person and speaks from his heart. Padre fans will pick up on the way he presents himself and simply fall in love with the big fella.
Oh yeah, he also hits the ball hard. I mean really hard. The noise of his bat in batting practice is distinctive, and when you hear it, you know that only a handful of players can replicate that noise. Power is his calling card as he uses the whole field with his swing. He drives balls to right field with ease as Reyes excels at letting the ball travel deep in the zone. That is very rare for a right-handed hitter with tremendous plus-power. He is special in that regard.
Reyes currently has a batting line of .346/.440/.748 in El Paso, in which he was mashing Triple-A pitching to the tune of a 1.188 OPS.
*Breaking News*
Franmil Reyes has been recalled from El Paso. No word on corresponding move yet from the #Padres
Reyes, 22 put up a .346/.440/.748 batting line with 14 home runs in 35 games at @epchihuahuas
— East Village Times (@EVT_News) May 13, 2018
This promotion does complicate the outfield situation for the Padres, but the numbers Franmil was putting up cannot be ignored. Chase Headley was released, so there is room on the 40-man roster. I know a lot of people wanted to see Luis Urias with this promotion and space on the roster, but at the age of 20, there is no need to rush Urias. He will be up in time.
We will see how the Padres utilize Franmil Reyes in the coming days and weeks. This may be just a cup of coffee for the young man until Wil Myers and Hunter Renfroe get better, or this may be the beginning if something very big for the franchise. The point is that this team needs to put young players in a position to succeed and then see what happens. I am rooting for the big man so much. He deserves all that he has worked so hard for. Best wishes, Franmil.
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.