Quote from Lance Richardson on March 9, 2018, 12:42 pm

1. Margot CF

2. Headley 3B

3. Myers RF

4. Hosmer 1B

5. Renfro LF

6. Asauje 2B

7. Galvis SS

8. Hedges C

9. Richard P

 

Guessing a bit at the order.  I suspect Green might go with something like the above, as it alternates LH and RH hitters as well as possible.

Quote from dusty on March 9, 2018, 3:30 pm

Margot CF

Pirela 2B

Myers RF

Hosmer 1B

Headley 3B

Renfroe LF

Galvis SS

Hedges C

Richard P

 

Have a feeling They send Asuaje down and keep both Pirela and Renfroe in the opening day lineup. As expected, a lot of tough calls to make. If the pitching prospects were a little bit more advanced, I think they would make the bold move of adding Urias to the team.

Quote from sportwarrior on March 9, 2018, 6:40 pm

Ideal lineup:

CF Margot
2B Spangenberg/Asuaje
1B Hosmer
RF Myers
LF Pirella
3B Villanueva
SS Galvis
C Hedges
P Richard

I keep Spangey and Asuaje up, send Renfroe/Cordero down and keep Janky as the 4th OF. Villanueva starts ahead of Headley, who becomes a platoon/PH type guy.

Likely Lineup:

CF Margot
2B Asuaje
RF Wil Myers
1B Hosmer
LF Pirella
3B Headley
SS Galvis
C Hedges
P Richard

They send Spangey down because of Asuaje's superior OBP and glove, keep Cordero up and send Renfro/Janky down, and start Headley over Villanueva.

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 10, 2018, 4:34 am

I think Hedges power moves him up from the #8 spot everyone has him pegged at.

I have Galvis hitting 8th.

Hedges 7th or even 6th.

Quote from fenn68 on March 10, 2018, 6:54 am

Going with:

CF Margot

2B Spangenberg (L)

RF Myers

1B Hosmer (L)

3B Headley (#)

LF Pirela

C   Hedges

SS Galvis (#) ... not a big hitter but has good speed to be ahead of a pitcher bunting

Quote from Booster SD on March 10, 2018, 7:13 pm

Since we open against MIL, and probably a RHSP. Lets say,

1. Margot - CF

2. Asuaje - 2B

3. Myers - RF

4. Hosmer - 1B

5. Pirela - LF

6. Headley - 3B

7. Galvis - SS

8. Hedges - C

9. Arrieta - P (Maybe it happens)

Balance of 25 man. 10. Mitchell, 11. Richard, 12. Ross, 13. Lamet, 14. Hand, 15. Stammen. 16. Makita, 17. Young, 18. Yates, 19. Strahm, 20. Maton, 21. Capps, 22. Ellis, 23. Spangy, 24. Villanueva, 25. Szczur.

Quote from fenn68 on March 11, 2018, 12:34 pm

Based on some comments by Green the 4 bench slots are will be shaped by the Padres keeping only one of the two in the following competitions:

Spangenberg vs. Asuaje (only one 2B with Pirela back-up)

Jankowski vs. Cordero (only one LHH who can back-up all three OF slots)

Renfroe vs. Szczur (hard to see it being Renfroe as a part time player paired with Pirela)

Two OF seems to be the plan ... by elimination that would mean the other two bench slots are going to the back-up C (Ellis) and Villanueva to serve as the RH pinch hitter / back-up INF.

? Ellis - Villanueva - Jankowski - Szczur to begin the season while Renfroe - Cordero - Asuaje get AAA reps? Or will someone get traded?

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 11, 2018, 1:01 pm

Do we need Szczur?

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just DFA him and open a spot for a Renfroe/Cordero platoon?

Or for Jankowski who is more versatile and the better base Runner?

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2018, 5:59 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 11, 2018, 1:01 pm

Do we need Szczur?

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just DFA him and open a spot for a Renfroe/Cordero platoon?

Or for Jankowski who is more versatile and the better base Runner?

 

Well don't need Szczur ... or 5 OF. Issue besides performance of all the candidates could be lack of playing time and versatility.

To START the season, expect Margot and Myers to play every day and Pirela SHOULD play every day. He has earned the chance to prove on the field whether he is for real or a flash in the pan. Note that the hit both LHP (928 OPS) and RHP (805 OPS) in 2017 and continues to hit in ST. Since they are all RHH, the 4th OF (who may not play much) should be someone who plays all three OF slots and is a LHH ... because of the limited use that role may fit Jankowski to START the season while giving Cordero AB in AAA.

With that backdrop why even consider a 5th OF? Best I can divine is that the 2B (either Spangenberg or Asuaje) have shown they cannot hit LHP ... but Pirela can and is at least serviceable at 2B (not a good fielder at 2B). So seems that they may go with Pirela in LF against RHP and 2B against LHP.

What opens up is a LF against LHP ... and a battle between Renfroe (who can only play a corner spot limiting his use) and Szczur (who is a better fielder for all three OF slots ... although not good). Probably goes down to who they see as being better against LHP to start the season and the plus / minus of turning Renfroe into on platoon player.

In 2017, Renfroe (OBP/SLG):

vs. LHP: 392 / 624 .... that was exceptional

vs. RHP: 244 / 393 ... that was ugly for a power hitting RF with limited fielding

and overall in ST: 256 / 541 .... so no real sign of improvement.

Meanwhile, Szczur (at best a reserve OF) also hits LHP (2017: 369 / 353) ... less power but more defense. Has had limited time in ST but overall at 375 / 667. Also, in 2017 Szczur hit RHP at a 354 /368 clip, so not the weakness vs RHP as Renfroe. So, maybe not as clear cut to START the season ... Renfroe has to actually show some offense in ST and cannot ride the "top prospect" much longer (age 26) given the reduced playing time available forcing more value on actual performance not just projection (hope). I is up to Renfroe to deliver.

One plus in keeping Renfroe as a platoon LF vs. LHP ... if he hits them as he did in 2017 it not only makes the team better but it should increase his trade value which may be pursued before next season IF Urias takes 2B full time and Pirela (or Cordero) succeed in locking down LF.