Padres News: More Roster Moves for the Friars (JABARI BLASH DFA’d)
Both Christian Friedrich and Hector Sanchez will be added to the 25-man roster today. The San Diego Padres needed a starting pitcher for today and Friedrich was due to pitch for the El Paso Chihuahuas tonight so that made him the likely candidate. Sanchez was claimed off waivers from the Braves a couple of days ago. A strange claim as the last thing the Padres seem to need is another catcher. We will see what A.J. is up to.
Sanchez is a very serviceable catcher though. He has excellent defensive skills and is a switch hitter at the plate. Sanchez is also still 26 years old and seems to have potential that has yet to be tapped. Sometimes it takes catchers a little longer to develop than other positions because of the amount of responsibilities a catcher has on a team.
When you are a major league catcher you have to work with the pitchers on getting people out and at the same time stay productive offensively. Not an easy thing to do for a young player. Sanchez certainly has defensive ability but his bat has lagged behind so far. Hopefully he can develop some consistency while working with the Padres coaching staff. A switch hitting backup catcher is a great thing to have.
In making room for the two players the Padres had no choice but to DFA Jabari Blash. Something that was certainly inevitable. With Jon Jay, Matt Kemp, and Melvin Upton Jr.entrenched in the Padres outfield, Blash had no chance to play. Also factor in Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski, and Manuel Margot and the man had no future with the team either.
I think of that faithful night in El Paso right before the season started when Blash powered homers into the Texas night. That intrigued the Padres, and rightfully so. The power Blash has is unreal, but when it is all said and done there were just too many negative aspects to his game. He strikes out way too much and he is no young prospect by any means. He will be 27 in a month and a half and seriously what is his ceiling? It’s not very high.
The Padres are designating Rule 5’er Jabari Blash for assignment. Good guy, big power. Best opportunity wasn’t with San Diego.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) May 13, 2016
One more move has to be made before the game tonight in Milwaukee. Stay tuned here at EVT and we will update the corresponding move. Farewell to Jabari Blash. He wasn’t given the proper opportunity in San Diego and is really wasn’t his fault. He has holes in his swing, but the power ability is legit. Hopefully he can refine his approach at the plate in order to be a useful major league player somewhere.
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.
Makes sense. He has power, but needs to shape up when it comes to playing at a MLB level.