Padres 25-Man Roster Predictions
Credit: EVT News
With two weeks remaining before MLB Opening Day, constructing the San Diego Padres’ 25-man roster results in many questions, as position battles are still in the middle rounds.
On Friday and early Tuesday, the Padres’ assigned several players to their minor league camp. Cal Quantrill, Rowan Wick, Tom Wilhelmsen, Trey Wingenter, and Michael Mariot were given the bad news, along with promising position player and No. 8 overall (in all of MLB) prospect Fernando Tatis Jr., second baseman Luis Urias, first baseman Josh Naylor, catcher Austin Allen, shortstop Javier Guerra, and outfielder Franmil Reyes.
In Peoria, the battle continues. There are many spots up for grabs with a few weeks remaining until March 29 against the Brewers.
Here are my predictions for the 2018 San Diego Padres’ opening day 25-man roster:
Starting Pitchers (5)
(LHP) Clayton Richard – Opening Day Starter
(RHP) Bryan Mitchell
(RHP) Dinelson Lamet
(RHP) Tyson Ross
(RHP) Chris Young
Clayton Richards is all but guaranteed the Opening Day nod. A little over midway through, Bryan Mitchell has had an impressive spring. Dinelson Lamet has had a average spring with a few ups and downs, but should make this team. Luis Perdomo is young and struggling. He could start in the minors. I see former Padres’ 2015 All-Star Tyson Ross filling his void. With the fifth spot in the rotation, I have to go with Chris Young. I like Joey Lucchesi as a possible number six, if the Padres elect to go with a six-man rotation. Eric Laurer starts in the minors, but he is close.
Relief Pitchers (7)
(LHP) Brad Hand – If not Traded
(RHP) Craig Stammen
(RHP) Kirby Yates
(RHP) Kazuhisa Makita
(RHP) Colten Brewer
(RHP) Adam Cimber
(LHP) Kyle McGrath
Latest Rumor: “Southpaw reliever Brad Hand looked like an obvious trade candidate all winter, and he still does. They inked Hand to a three-year, $19.75 million extension in January. In some ways, that made the 27-year-old All-Star more attractive.”” Astros” being the possible location – Jacob Shafer says.
Carter Capps is a big question for the Friars. The team could use some help in the relief area if Brad Hand is traded. Phil Maton or Buddy Baumann could be called on for a much larger role if this happens. Wingenter is a possible call-up, as is Brad Wieck.
Catchers (2)
At catcher, it will be Austin Hedges. He has had an exceptional spring and owns the starter role for now and the future. A.J. Ellis adds veteran presence to the clubhouse as well as a great option off the bench. Ellis spent eight years with the Dodgers. In 2012, he was legitimate MLB All-Star catcher and has knowledge of both the division and the players within it.
Infielders (6)
Eric Hosmer
Chase Headley – If not Traded
Carlos Asuaje
Freddy Galvis
Cory Spangenberg
Christian Villanueva
The $144-million first baseman, and new franchise face, Eric Hosmer, leads arguably the best infield in 20 years for the Padres. Wil Myers will play right field and is probably the backup first baseman. Chase Headley is currently in what looks to be a dog fight with Christian Villanueva at third base. Headley is holding his ground due to poor trade worth and a guaranteed $13 million 2018 salary. To ensure Villanueva more playing time, he could be used in a backup role to shortstop and veteran Freddy Galvis. Carlos Asuaje has had a solid spring to this point and will be the Opening Day second baseman if it continues. Cory Spangenberg makes the team as a backup to Asuaje.
Outfielders (5)
Jose Pirela
Wil Myers
Manuel Margot
Franchy Cordero
Hunter Renfroe – If not Traded
The outfield is presently loaded… It is actually overloaded. Pirela will double as another possible second baseman to get his big bat in the lineup during the week. Franchy Cordero had a beautiful winter, and is off to amazing spring that should all but guarantee his starting role in left field, with Jose Pirela and Hunter Renfroe getting at bats when they can. If Hunter is to be traded or sent down, Matt Szczur takes the number five outfield spot. Manuel Margot is a fixture in center and Wil Myers will be in right field unless he is needed at first base.
There is my 25-man roster. What do you think?
Hello, my name is Jeff Weber. I am a life long San Diego Padres Fan and a 27 year San Diegan. Stay up to date with Padres trade rumors, breaking news, prospects, injuries and in-depth reports on players here at EVT.
I still say we put a package together for Archer. If that means Renfroe, Naylor, Perdomo, Lockett. Maybe trade Headley, Guerra and Lloyd to the Braves for Foltynewicz
I think an Alex Cobb type pither would be nice to fill out the rotation better. I get we are not “going for it all” yet, but a solid “bridge” SP for the next2- 3 years will do wonders for the organization. The hitters are slightly ahead of our pitchers. The Young’s could breakdown any minute. Perdomo is struggling. The young pitching needs another FULL year in the minors.
Hosmer, Myers, Asuaje, Spangenberg, Galves, Headley, Villanueva, Hedges, Ellis, Myers, Margot, Pirela, Cordero
Richard, Mitchell, Lamet, Ross, Young, Hand, Yates, Makita, Strahm, Maton, Brewer, Baumann
Jank to AAA
Scrzcur DFA
Rea to 60 day
Erlin to AAA
Perdomo to AAA
Renfroe to AAA
McGrath to AAA
Torrens to AA
Cordero to AAA
Guerra to AA
Diaz to AAA
I like it.
I agree with the position players Jeff. [Unfortunately] I see Perdomo in the rotation, not Young, with Young moving to the bullpen and McGrath not making it. Other than that I totally agree.
I really hope Hand and Headley stay. Hand is our one and only reliever with closer genes (currently), and Headley, though not much power, gets on base consistently.
I would not be sad to see Renfroe traded. I feel that, even though he has tremendous power, he needs to cut back on the Ks, and I haven’t seen that really happen yet.
Thanks for your opinion.
Frank, what would be your thoughts on the targeted return if we did trade Renfroe now? So you see Headley as more than a placeholder? You would consider resigning him? Villanueva does not have more projected upside that deserves playing time? I see Headley as someone if in the middle of the order that will leave allot of runners on base. IMO, we need more run production, with another run per game our average pitching looks allot better.
I hope we don’t trade either Renfroe or Hand. I would rather have Renfroe and Cordero play every day in AAA to start the season. Give the 4th OF spot for now to Jankowski. I think we keep 13 pitchers. Let Lucchesi get a few starts first in the minors. Go with a 5 man rotation to start the year with Perdomo at AAA, along with Strahm, Erlin, and Rea. I see Strahm as a starter for now, with very solid upside. I agree Headley needs to be moved. I hope Renfroe and Cordero force us to move Myers ASAP. For me along with Margot that is our OF of the future. Villanueva deserves every shot to be the 3B of the future. I like a couple of other options for the bullpen also, Aro and Stock for instance.
Thanks SD Don.
I think you nailed it.
Thank you.