Quote from fenn68 on March 30, 2025, 2:35 pm

Going to be "interesting" to see if Kolek's development as a SP holds and makes it a decision for the Padres to call him up and bump? out of the starting rotation. Vasquez make his case yesterday to stay ... we will see on Hart tomorrow. Plus the return of Darvish just complicates the issue.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 30, 2025, 2:41 pm

As ST started, I thought Perlaza (switch hitting OF) would shine after coming off a good season in Korea. He did not and was barely visible.

His start for EP today may renew my optimism. 3 for 3 plus two BB in 5 PA ... 1 HR ... 6 RBI ... played RF.

Someone (non-roster) for potential mid-season call-up although sitting behind roster guys (Joe, Ornelas (L)). Someone with potential to be added to the 40 man next winter as quite a few position players are FA and little in system ready.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 30, 2025, 3:45 pm

Watched the game on TV and Kolek pitched well but was not dominant.  His strike % to total pitch count (51 to 77) was only 66%, which is pretty much average, and he did pitch with some traffic on the base paths.  Also, while he has some of the same kind of stuff as King, he doesn't have as much velocity or movement on his pitches.  One thing Kolek does very well is get ground balls, as 9 of the 15 outs he recorded over 5 innings were on ground balls - this should help him greatly in the Pacific Coast League and in the majors with our solid infield defense.Looks like he has the frame and stamina to go deep into games and if the ground balls continue to find infielders and are not hit that hard, could be a very viable option should one of our current SPs flounder.

Chihuahuas go to Oklahoma City, which is at a lower elevation than El Paso, for their home opener - OKC is also 2-1 to open the season.  No obvious SP to throw on Tuesday since only Marinaccio is the only pitcher who hasn't thrown and he is mainly a RP.  Could try to squeeze potential SP Benjamin into that role but he pitched on the 27th.  Might be a bullpen game or someone could move up from San Antonio; don't think any of our injured pitchers are ready for rehab.   Bergert likely back on the hill on Wednesday.  We have a lot of 4A hitters on the EP team, so I stand by my statement that if we hold the opposition to less than 5 runs, Chihuahuas are going to win a lot of games this year.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 1, 2025, 10:19 pm

Chihuahuas did start Benjamin and after a shaky first inning he was  pitching well as he reached his 3 inning limit.  R Brito left in too long in relief otherwise it would have been a back and forth game until the end - Dodgers had a very good SP going.  Looks like Krob will start tomorrow with Bergert getting his full rest for his turn on Thursday.  Wade should join the team soon and Padres likely move someone to the Developmental List - probably a pitcher.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2025, 9:18 am

Gillaspie looked very good after a so so 1st appearance.  Still expect him to be rostered some time this season.  MadFriars reporting he threw 6 different pitches, although I couldn't really differentiate that many on TV.  Think Padres still looking for someone to take W Peralta and Suarez despite the latter looking very good in his 3 appearances; Estrada is more than ready to be the full-time closer.

Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2025, 8:46 pm

Interesting positioning with the arrival of Wade and Rosario.

As expected Wade to 2B and Rosario to 3B but then Joe started in LF and the surprise to me ... Ornelas started in CF.

Maybe some alignment to set up call-up as needed? More time for Joe in LF and keep Ornelas in the line-up with a test in CF.

Brooks has been doing well at 1B ... but Wall has not in CF (maybe at risk). Perlaza playing more ... DH.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 4, 2025, 2:23 am

Bergert looks like 2023 all over again with a very efficient outing and 11 K's in 5 IP.  Should have picked up his first victory but bullpen let him down - Marinaccio did not look very good.  For the second game in a row, Bergert had zero walks; becoming a legitimate candidate as a back-up long man out of the pen or possible back-end SP should Vasquez or Hart falter.

Oklahoma City is probably one of the better teams in the minor leagues and with a lot of Dodgers pitchers rehabbing there are especially tough.  Liked the hustle shown by Wade to beat out 2 hits and keep EP in it.  Perlaza looks like a hitter but need to see him play more in the OF before can determine whether it is safe to put him out there.  Ornelas started the last couple of games in CF but just doesn't have the range to be there in anything but an emergency basis; adequate in LF but more like Sheets than Heyward.