Quote from Randy Manese on August 25, 2020, 12:52 pm

Amazing, if true, but I was just expressing my opinion on what I've seen on the field for the first 30 games.  I don't think he's as good defensively as Margot or, going way back, Steve Finley; small sample size.  I think he can improve on some of the aspects of playing CF, but I really like him more as a corner outfielder (LF over RF) because his arm doesn't seem that strong compared to other superior CF's around the league.  I think we're fortunate to have him and his performance makes the trade with Milwaukee look like a steal, even though I think Urias will be a solid player for them in time.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 25, 2020, 1:37 pm

I was skeptical also at first because of the big drop he had the other day and because of his reads.

He appears to start back on everything even if he should be coming in...then has to recover.

But,it takes more than just defense and I would gladly sacrifice a slight bit of defense to gain the offense he has provided over Margot.

 

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 25, 2020, 2:52 pm

The remaining 30 games plays out pretty well for the Padres locking down a playoff spot.

15 Home / 15 Away

6 against teams with winning records: LAD (3); OAK (3)

24 against teams with losing records: SF (7); COLO (7); SEA (6); LAA (4)

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Not that easy to catch LAD for 1st in the NL West:

14 Home / 16 Away

8 against teams with winning records: SD (3); OAK (3); HOU (2)

22 against teams with losing records: COLO (7); AZ (6); SF (3); LAA (3); TEX (3)

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SD may have a slightly easier schedule but LAD has a 4 game lead making overtaking them a challenge. Still have to play the games ... so there is a chance.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 26, 2020, 11:15 am

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 25, 2020, 11:58 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 24, 2020, 2:03 pm

As we hit the halfway mark in the season, there are several things that stand out to me.  The infield defense has got to rank with the best in the league.  If we can get our pitchers to make them hit more grounders (not to our pitchers!) then it is almost always an out.  The OF defense is good, but not great.  Got some good speed but don't think the arms are that strong and sometimes the jumps we get on the ball are not the greatest.  Catching, in my opinion, has been good defensively from both Hedges and Mejia although neither has hit his weight.  Bench is adequate but can't afford long stretches where they have to start - matchups are key.

Starting pitching can be good to very good, but some inconsistencies with the 3 TJ guys; probably can expect to get better as they log more innings.  Bullpen hit hard but evolving into something better than they showed at the beginning of the year.  Really need Pomeranz back and Strahm to continue his good year.  If Pagan is allowed to get a little more rest (and hopefully not seriously injured) and Guerra and Patino continue to develop behind Hill, Quantrill and Stammen, then we have a very good chance to finish a lot stronger than we started at 18-12.  I'm hoping for 20-10 in the next 30 based on no major injuries, getting our injured guys back and continued growth/move toward the norm of our bull pen pitchers.  I don't see a scenario where we fail to make the playoffs - this is too good a team with too many players with a lot of heart that aren't going to let this happen.

I saw somewhere that Trent Grisham is the highest rated defensive player "at any position".

 

It was on Fangraphs where I saw Grisham as #1 defender in baseball.........here:https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2020&month=0&season1=2020&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=

Quote from WindsorUK on August 26, 2020, 11:44 am

Solid at the dish and a star in the field? Did not know we were getting THAT in exchange for Urias!

I'll take it.

Quote from fenn68 on August 26, 2020, 12:11 pm

Think it is time for the Padres to start approaching that #5 starter slot with a bit more strategic thinking ... move on from a bullpen day.

Maybe in the first round of the playoffs max 3 SP but depending on how that goes may need (or want) 4 SP for round 2 and likely will want 4 for round 3 and the WS. In the moment Paddack is a weak link and no #5 even stretched out.

With only 29 regular season games ( 5-6 starts per pitcher) beyond working to “fix” Paddack ... maybe they need to really work to stretch out either Morejon or Quantrill with the hope, if needed, can handle the #4 slot if Paddack does not rebound or one of the others gets injured.

1. Lamet (1.59 ERA)

2. Davies (3.03 ERA)

3. Richards (3.52 ERA)

that is a good #1-3. Then

4. Paddack (5.15 ERA) and fading.

5. TBD but Morejon has not gone deep (5.79 ERA) and Quantrill has been in the pen (2.93 ERA). At least one needs to be worked to expect at least 5-6 inning starts.

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Not a lot of time to get the depth of SP in shape .. however, few other teams have the depth in SP either ... so there is that lessen the discomfort.

Quote from MrPadre19 on August 26, 2020, 12:23 pm

Of course it depends how much the Pen has to be used in the first couple games of each series but I wouldn't mind seeing

Strahm and Quantrill piggyback one game if necessary.

Of course that could be problematic if either one isn't successful that particular day.

But if they could each go through the lineup once that would get us into the 5th most likely.

Then again,if you're up against the Dodgers?

The issue with Bullpen days is you're counting on 4-6 pitchers all being on top of their game at the same time.

Let's just get the 2nd spot in the division and go from there eh?

🙂

 

Quote from fenn68 on August 28, 2020, 6:23 am

A bit amazing the change in the offense in 2020 after years and years performing near the bottom of MLB. Consider YTD in MLB:

BA ... #11

OBP ... #6

SLG ... #2

OPS ... #2

That is with minimal offense out of C, LF, DH. Hope this is more than a collective hot streak.

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Actually, despite the lack of a #5 and the recent implosion of Richards and Paddack (both now with ERA greater than 5.00) ... Padres are still sitting at #10 in ERA. Maybe a greater indictment on SP in MLB.

Side note: saw a stat that SP are only going 6 innings or more less than 30% of the starts ... down from just over 40% last season and down from about 60% 10 years ago. The shift of team philosophy from starters to relief pitchers with starters going all out for as long as they can then a series of mix and match relief pitchers. I can see some logic if a team is among the first adopters of that (and can accumulate the good RP) but if all 30 teams take that strategy ... just not enough good pitchers to go around.

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As expected RP sits at #26 in ERA ... supposed strength is the prime weakness without Yates, Pomeranz, Castillo. Plus the Padres pen is among the most innings in MLB due to the short starts.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 28, 2020, 10:52 am

Not sure whether the downturn in our starting pitching is more physical or more mental.  Even after coming back from TJ last year, Richards hasn't looked as bad as he has in his last 2 starts.  Likewise, Paddack looking very hittable and even though his velocity is apparently up, hitters are seeing the ball out of his hand really really well.  Could it be that knowing that the team wants them to go 6+ innings because of the uncertainty in the pen, makes them want to dial it back to try to last longer on the mound, which actually backfires in the results?  If they are the same physically and just need minor mechanical tweaks, then that should have already happened and better results should have been seen - I'm seeing worse not better, even for Lamet.  Need to be more aggressive and pitch like they are only going to throw 50 pitches because right now, a few of our guys seems like they can't even make 50 quality pitches before having to be lifted.  Confidence has got to be running low, so got to get it together down the stretch - offense can't always do the heavy lifting.