Quote from LynchMob on May 17, 2021, 1:01 pm

Who is the Padres' "Most Pleasant Surprise" for far in 2021?

My first thought was Victor Caratini ... but I yield to mlb.com after seeing their answer 🙂

https://www.mlb.com/news/most-pleasant-surprise-for-every-mlb-team-in-2021

PADRES: Mark Melancon

The Padres signed Melancon to an extremely team-friendly one-year deal, in large part because he so desperately wanted to win a World Series. He turned down more lucrative offers from other clubs to pitch in San Diego, and he’s been a revelation in the closer role. Melancon won that job during Spring Training and has converted every save opportunity so far, while leading the Majors with 14 saves. He was the NL Reliever of the Month in April -- facing 43 batters and allowing only four singles and a walk, while posting a 0.69 ERA.

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 17, 2021, 11:01 pm

Impossible to argue Melancon.  HUGE that Preller went with him (& Kela) over Trevor Rosenthal or Kirby Yates, as I pounded the table that they should ....

Amazing to be a team guys are willing to forsake literally millions of $$ to play for!

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 18, 2021, 10:21 am

OK, excluding last night's game, here is where the Pitching Staff projects to over a full season:

• Darvish:                      190 IP
• Musgrove:                  175 IP
• Snell:                           140 IP
• Paddack;                     120 IP
• Weathers:                   105 IP+
• "Craig Stamina":         95 IP
•  Melancon:                   75 IP
•  Pagan & Hill:              68 IP each
• Pomeranz & Crismatt:   55 IP each
• Adams & Johnson:      50 IP each
• Lamet & Diaz:               32 IP each +
• "All Others":                 150 IP !!

Darvish so good he's on track to push 200 IP in regular season.  Weathers fine @105 IP, but likely headed for more with a team imposed ceiling probably around 125-130.  Stammen at one point was on pace for > 100 IP!  If anyone could do it, it's him; but ludicrous usage.  He's a HUGE unsung hero worth (as always) every penny he's paid.  Majority of pen regulars on high but "OK" side.  Best news is the IP that Lamet & Diaz can provide.  Worst is how many they will have to absorb from "Others".

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 19, 2021, 4:19 pm

Ummm...  any long timers remember the last time the Pads were 10 games > .500?

Quote from LynchMob on May 19, 2021, 4:25 pm

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 19, 2021, 4:19 pm

Ummm...  any long timers remember the last time the Pads were 10 games > .500?

Sunday, September 27th, 2020 ... https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/2020-schedule-scores.shtml ... they were 14 games over .500 ...

But I think the spirit of  your question suggests the answer is ... 2010 ...

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/2010-schedule-scores.shtml

What shocked me (into reality) the most while researching this is ... Padres were *NEVER OVER .500* for all of 2016 + 2017 + 2018!!!

Those ... were ... the ... days ... my friend!

Quote from fenn68 on May 22, 2021, 8:20 am

OK, small sample sizes on a player I have not been excited about but seems that the Padres have done some good work in getting Mateo to be an acceptable bench option.

C0nsider his offensive work:

2020: 28 PA ...154/185/269 ... 39.3 K%

2021: 48 PA ...250/313/386 ... 25.0 K%

Plus from the eyeball test ... much more controlled in his AB / swings. IF he can maintain his 2021 line coupled with his speed and versatility in the INF/OF, he becomes a very useful piece for the Padres.

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 23, 2021, 9:31 am

Quote from fenn68 on May 22, 2021, 8:20 am

OK, small sample sizes on a player I have not been excited about but seems that the Padres have done some good work in getting Mateo to be an acceptable bench option.

C0nsider his offensive work:

2020: 28 PA ...154/185/269 ... 39.3 K%

2021: 48 PA ...250/313/386 ... 25.0 K%

Plus from the eyeball test ... much more controlled in his AB / swings. IF he can maintain his 2021 line coupled with his speed and versatility in the INF/OF, he becomes a very useful piece for the Padres.

It is promising.  His OBP is skewed high this year from relatively large # HBP.  BUT he only has 1 BB.  Player with his skillset HAS to Walk more to be able to utilize it.  Combo of developing batter eye / patience, but might be more that P's just have no choice but to go right after him in this lineup...

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 23, 2021, 9:35 am

Sure you are all aware but...    46 games into the 2021 season your SAN DIEGO PADRES have the best record in all of MLB!

Quote from hoffy51 on May 29, 2021, 8:05 am

I must say, Jayce has impressed me the way he has stuck with Chris Paddock and Tommy Pham through tough times. They are both playing much better and contributing to victories. Jayce is a true developmental guy. Not perfect, but the right guy for the job IMHO.