Quote from Randy Manese on April 10, 2023, 9:41 am

4/20 is when Tatis Jr. returns to the major league club.  He has one more series with El Paso that concludes on 4/16.  Doubt he would fly to Tacoma with EP to open that series on the 18th, so he'll probably head back in Peoria where he'll get ready for the Padres game with the Diamondbacks in Arizona.  He's only hitting .231 but its a small sample size (19 plate appearances); he's hitting the ball very hard (announcers reported exit velocity over 105 several times) but his BABIP of .200 indicates that it has been in bad luck (his career BABIP is almost .350, one of the best in MLB).  Also, his BB rate is over 30% while his K rate is just over 10% - very impressive.  In the games I've watched on MiLB, he's swinging free and easy with no obvious problems with his wrist and shoulder and shown a willingness to steal.  In the field, he's still a little shaky tracking the ball off the bat and still not taking the best routes to the ball, but he really can gun from RF - 2 OF assists in 4 games!   I think he'll be VERY ready to start his season on 4/20 and look forward to him at the top of the lineup.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 10, 2023, 9:50 am

Although his BA doesn't reflect it, Jake has been hitting the ball harder than he ever has - it's just going right at people.  I think this will improve over the course of the season and he should be back around the .260-.270 mark with a lot of clutch hits.  I still like him in the #2 hole (he had a great spring batting primarily 2nd in the order) but it's hard to take away AB's from any of your 4 superstars at the top of the line-up.  Leave it to Melvin to figure it out, but because of the length this lineup I would go - Tatis, Cronenworth, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, DH spot, c spot, Grisham, Kim (with the latter two switching depending upon a LH or RH SP.  I like Grisham and Kim at the bottom of the line-up because they have speed and will make Tatis an even more effective batter with RISP.  This lineup can explode for 7-8 runs on any given day if the bottom of the lineup keeps hitting as they have been.

Quote from fenn68 on April 10, 2023, 10:18 am

It is early but have to give Preller credit for his FA signings for this season based on early performance. Sure Bogaerts was the headliner and is delivering (179 wRC+ in 45 PA). But the “lower profile” adds hit the season running.

Carpenter ($6.5MM) … 132 wRC+ … 6 RBI …. 24 PA

Cruz ($1.0MM) … 196 wRC+ … 9 RBI … 21 PA

The combined 45 PA is the same a Bogaerts or Soto … so that turns into a great value proposition for the DH at only $7.5MM

Then consider Lugo and Wacha … both 2-0 with good ERA … each signed for a bargain $7.5MM.

Good start for Preller in 2023 not even counting the extensions for Machado and Darvish.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 10, 2023, 10:19 am

Quote from Randy Manese on April 10, 2023, 9:50 am

Tatis, Cronenworth, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, DH spot, c spot, Grisham, Kim (with the latter two switching depending upon a LH or RH SP.  I like Grisham and Kim at the bottom of the line-up because they have speed and will make Tatis an even more effective batter with RISP.  This lineup can explode for 7-8 runs on any given day if the bottom of the lineup keeps hitting as they have been.

I think there is a lot to like about this lineup a lot, and have been calling for Soto in the 4 spot all off season. I can see the logic of Grisham down in the line up as well, since he does run so hot and cold. However I can also see Grisham feasting on the fastballs he would see sitting between Tatis and Machado. And his speed/bunting ability would play well with Tatis on the bases in front of him. I think you could switch Crone and Grisham in the 2 spot based on who is hot.

Against RHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Carpenter, C of the day, Kim.

Against LHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Cruz, C of the day, Kim.

Both with the caveat that if Grisham goes into a longer funk, Cronenworth goes two spot, and Grisham goes to 8 spot.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 10, 2023, 10:21 am

Quote from fenn68 on April 10, 2023, 10:18 am

It is early but have to give Preller credit for his FA signings for this season based on early performance.

And the accolades to Seidler for writing all these checks, giving Preller the ability to sign these guys.

Yeah for SD fans!!

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 10, 2023, 10:41 am

Quote from BoosterSD on April 10, 2023, 10:19 am

Quote from Randy Manese on April 10, 2023, 9:50 am

Tatis, Cronenworth, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, DH spot, c spot, Grisham, Kim (with the latter two switching depending upon a LH or RH SP.  I like Grisham and Kim at the bottom of the line-up because they have speed and will make Tatis an even more effective batter with RISP.  This lineup can explode for 7-8 runs on any given day if the bottom of the lineup keeps hitting as they have been.

I think there is a lot to like about this lineup a lot, and have been calling for Soto in the 4 spot all off season. I can see the logic of Grisham down in the line up as well, since he does run so hot and cold. However I can also see Grisham feasting on the fastballs he would see sitting between Tatis and Machado. And his speed/bunting ability would play well with Tatis on the bases in front of him. I think you could switch Crone and Grisham in the 2 spot based on who is hot.

Against RHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Carpenter, C of the day, Kim.

Against LHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Cruz, C of the day, Kim.

Both with the caveat that if Grisham goes into a longer funk, Cronenworth goes two spot, and Grisham goes to 8 spot.

Why not Kim at #2 vs lefties.. he has speed, can bunt power and is a ++ hitter vs lefties.. btw off to a .937 OPS start atm

Quote from 3fingersplit on April 10, 2023, 10:45 am

It’s been fun to watch this team grind with some of the issues they have…catching and not really having a lockdown bullpen yet

looking forward to seeing Tatis on April 20 in Arizona…Melvin said barring any type of setback Tatis should be batting lead off on the 20th and I’ll be there rocking the Padres gear at Chase Field…I just wish I could figure out how to post a picture here on mad friars

Regarding Jake and his swing…he is getting a little bit more of the “straight top hand “ on his swing. Some hitting coaches like the palm up Palm down approach which leads to more fly balls and gravity is not your friend with that approach opposed to driving the ball…Palm to the sky…you hit it high, palm straight and you hit it great

Hopefully our padres continue swinging the hot bats in New York and stick a couple right up the Mets tailpipe starting with tonight ⚾️

Quote from fenn68 on April 10, 2023, 11:20 am

Heard that Musgrove will be IL a little longer due to a twinge in his shoulder from fielding a ball on his rehab. Suarez has been shut down from throwing again after moving up to 120 ft toss. Have that feeling that Suarez' problem may be much longer term than originally thought.

Quote from BoosterSD on April 10, 2023, 11:33 am

Quote from Henry Silvestre on April 10, 2023, 10:41 am

Quote from BoosterSD on April 10, 2023, 10:19 am

I think there is a lot to like about this lineup a lot, and have been calling for Soto in the 4 spot all off season. I can see the logic of Grisham down in the line up as well, since he does run so hot and cold. However I can also see Grisham feasting on the fastballs he would see sitting between Tatis and Machado. And his speed/bunting ability would play well with Tatis on the bases in front of him. I think you could switch Crone and Grisham in the 2 spot based on who is hot.

Against RHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Carpenter, C of the day, Kim.

Against LHSP - Tatis, Grisham, Machado, Soto, Bogaerts, Cronenworth, Cruz, C of the day, Kim.

Both with the caveat that if Grisham goes into a longer funk, Cronenworth goes two spot, and Grisham goes to 8 spot.

Why not Kim at #2 vs lefties.. he has speed, can bunt power and is a ++ hitter vs lefties.. btw off to a .937 OPS start atm

IMO, that would put too many RHH together in the line up, and creating RP advantages to the opposing team later in the game. I am a big fan of alternating opposite batting sides in a line up, especially with the 3 batters faced rule now in place.

So yes, Kim is very capable at the plate, especially against LHP, IF you start the line up with Tatis, I prefer either Crone or Grisham in the two spot, just for the matchups later in the game.