Manuel Margot Needs to Play Every Day

As a young player, sometimes it takes time to figure things out. The game of baseball is not easy, and in particular, the art of hitting is near impossible. Hitting a round ball with a round bat off a major league-caliber pitcher who throws upwards of 100 mph, has proven time and time again to be the most challenging of tasks to accomplish in all of professional sports.

Young players often struggle. That’s just the nature of the game.

Manuel Margot is 22 years old and has had 59 at-bats this 2018 season. In the first game of a three-game set against the Mets, after a scheduled off day, Margot was once again relegated to the bench as the outfield for the day consisted of Jose Pirela, Wil Myers, and Franchy Cordero against Mets’ right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom.

Friday was Margot’s second day off in the last four games, and it is a bit puzzling. He was nailed in the ribs on April 10 by a 95 mph fastball, which landed him on the 10-day DL, but he returned earlier this week in Arizona. He looks to be back in fine health and the rib contusion should not be an issue moving forward. But yet he is not playing.

Resting Margot in a game where he would be facing Jacob deGrom is not unusual though. The Mets’ hurler is difficult to hit, and with Margot struggling, this could be a perfect time to let him sit on the bench and gather his thoughts. That is possibly what Andy Green is thinking. It makes some sense.

To some however, Manuel Margot needs to be in the lineup each and every day that he can be. At his age, he needs experience, and getting consistent at bats against major league pitching is the only way to do that, even if the outfielder is not swinging the bat well. Working out his issues while playing is the best way to determine his future in this league.

The 2018 Padres aren’t going to win a championship. The team will struggle to play .500 baseball all year long. This season is about evaluation and gathering information on each and every player you can. Force-feeding at-bats to these men and gauging their abilities is the only way to successfully evaluate them, even when they are struggling. The game of baseball is about adjustments and you must do that in order to survive.

Manuel Margot needs to be in the lineup because he is no sure thing. There is no given about his future in the game of baseball. At 22, the young outfielder is still trying to figure it out. He should be able to do that, but needs to do it in the batter’s box. In the coming weeks, the outfielder should get a majority of the at-bats in center. Evaluating his abilities is one of the main goals of the future. Have faith, you baseball number-crunchers, there will be better days for the Dominican outfielder.

James Clark

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.