Padres Organization Players of the Week: April 15-21
Credit: AP Photo
A review of the best performers from the past week in the Padres organization.
The Padres had a rough week at the major league level, but that doesn’t mean they did not have any players who performed well. Plus, someone down in Triple-A was putting up numbers one might see on rookie mode while playing MLB the Show.
Here are the Padres organization players of the week.
MLB Batter- Fernando Tatis Jr.
Despite the 1-5 week and a putrid offense, Tatis maintained a steady pace and is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, which is incredible being that he is the youngest player in the big leagues. Tatis carried the offense for much of this week, batting .348 with a home run, a triple, a 1.009 OPS, and a 167 wRC+. He also adds a ton of value with his legs, as he stole three bases this week, all in one game. He stole two in a row in the same inning, which led to a much-needed run.
What can't he do?#Padres' No. 1 prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. put his 60-grade speed on display as he flew around the bases for his first #MLB triple. Gameday: https://t.co/aFHQ6WXu3C pic.twitter.com/YJnWleY39f
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 21, 2019
This is further proof that General Manager A.J. Preller made the correct decision to award Tatis an Opening Day roster spot as he has arguably been the most consistent hitter in the lineup. He has been rewarded by batting leadoff in the last four games, which has resulted in a .333 average with two extra-base hits. Without Tatis in the lineup, the Padres would likely be below .500.
MLB Pitcher- Matt Strahm
One start is all Strahm needed to win this week’s award. In Friday’s extra-inning loss to the Reds, Strahm almost went the distance, tossing eight fantastic innings. He only allowed two hits, one earned run and walked none while striking out five in a start the Padres needed in the worst way.
Matt Strahm. Dealing.
His line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO.#FriarFaithful | @Padres pic.twitter.com/M6UOI0O7mQ
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) April 20, 2019
The bullpen has been overused and taxed early this season, and Strahm’s eight innings were sorely needed. He deserved to win that game, but the Padres lineup failed him. He entered this season as a bit of a wild card coming off of injuries and being stretched out into a starter late last season and into this spring, but Friday marked his full arrival as a part of the Padres rotation. Through four starts, he has a 3.05 ERA, a sub-four FIP and a walk rate of 2.2 per nine innings, which ranks among starters like Noah Syndergaard and Miles Mikolas.
Farm Batter- Ty France (AAA)
Easily the player of the week, regardless of level in the Padres organization, is El Paso Chihuahuas infielder Ty France. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone, anywhere in baseball that had a week even close to the one France had. For starters, three times this week, France had a multi-home run game. He hit seven home runs total and collected 17 RBI in seven games. He hit an astounding .571 with three doubles and a triple.
After drilling two homers last night, @Padres' Ty France added two more today, including this walk-off blast for @epchihuahuas. pic.twitter.com/EVGj7dgicY
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 17, 2019
France included a .636 on-base percentage and a ridiculous 2.136 OPS with a 388 wRC+. Those are the correct numbers, not a type-o. All this while also bouncing around the infield as he has played games at third, second and first base this season for El Paso. Perhaps he is making a case to be called up amidst the struggles the Friars are having at the big league level at infield spots not manned by Manny Machado or Fernando Tatis Jr.
Farm Pitcher- Cal Quantrill
Quantrill badly needed this week after a tough start to the season. He made two starts this week, totaling in 11 2/3 innings with a 2.31 ERA, three walks, three runs, and 12 strikeouts. He got the win in both his starts, going 5 2/3 and six innings respectively. In Sunday’s start against Reno, he went six innings while allowing just one run and striking out five with one walk. This was a welcome sight since, in his first two starts, Quantrill had an 8.31 ERA, with eight earned runs in 8 2/3 innings.
Starting pitcher Cal Quantrill done for El Paso today. He goes six innings, allows one run, strikes out four. Good showing for him today.
— Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) April 21, 2019
Quantrill is still respected as one of the best right-handed pitchers in the Padres’ loaded system. This week’s numbers are the ones the Padres need to see if he is going to be pitching at Petco Park anytime soon. The Padres may soon need rotation reinforcements, especially right-handed ones, and Quantrill can put himself in that mix by building off of this solid week.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.