Quote from BoosterSD on February 11, 2021, 8:03 am

So after all the trades, it looks as if Baseball America still has SD MiL system ranked #6, and Law on the Athletic ranked them #7 last night if I remember correctly.

Really, not that bad since we know have a top 5 ML team, and still a upper 3rd MiL system.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2021, 8:55 am

Padres sign Patrick Kivlehan (OF, 31) to a minor league contract with a ST invite ... basically AAA depth.

If his name sounds familiar ... he had a cup of coffee with the Padres (2016?) and hit a HR in his first AB.

Decent minor league bat ... not so much in his ML time.

Quote from Brian Connelly on February 28, 2021, 4:14 pm

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2021, 8:55 am

Padres sign Patrick Kivlehan (OF, 31) to a minor league contract with a ST invite ... basically AAA depth.

If his name sounds familiar ... he had a cup of coffee with the Padres (2016?) and hit a HR in his first AB.

Decent minor league bat ... not so much in his ML time.

Unfortunately not a CF, but at least some AAA OF depth

Quote from hoffy51 on March 1, 2021, 5:06 pm

Jurickson Profar is signed for two years, they may extend him past that, but I think Tucupita Marcano could be the second coming of Jurickson. He's 21 this year and will probably end up at Fort Wayne. Maybe San Antonio. But he seems like he can play all over the infield, and maybe with some reps, play some corner outfield. Maybe. He's an interesting prospect.

Quote from fenn68 on March 1, 2021, 8:33 pm

Quote from hoffy51 on March 1, 2021, 5:06 pm

Jurickson Profar is signed for two years, they may extend him past that, but I think Tucupita Marcano could be the second coming of Jurickson. He's 21 this year and will probably end up at Fort Wayne. Maybe San Antonio. But he seems like he can play all over the infield, and maybe with some reps, play some corner outfield. Maybe. He's an interesting prospect.

All the reports are that the Padres really like his bat to ball skills ... and with his time at the alternate site last season and in ST this year ... would not be surprised to see him in SA. Still only 21 all this season.

Maybe not a replacement for Profar ... but another super utility option as early as mid-2022 ... especially if Pham departs and the DH arrives.

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 1, 2021, 8:48 pm

Marcano could eventually supplant Cronenworth as a LH super utility guy who lacks HR power

Quote from fenn68 on March 2, 2021, 3:49 pm

Looks as though the AAA season start will now be delayed until May (to get more player vaccinated) and be extended  in September to still get to a full (or close to full) season). Lower minors were already expected to delay start to May.

Might make any April call-ups a bit trickier with only AZ camp to work off of ... not sure if games will be played during MiL ST against opponents.

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 2, 2021, 6:51 pm

Quote from fenn68 on March 2, 2021, 3:49 pm

Looks as though the AAA season start will now be delayed until May (to get more player vaccinated) and be extended  in September to still get to a full (or close to full) season). Lower minors were already expected to delay start to May.

Might make any April call-ups a bit trickier with only AZ camp to work off of ... not sure if games will be played during MiL ST against opponents.

It sounds like most (but not all) of the guys in ST not on 40 man that "would have" gone to AAA will now just go the Alternate Site instead.  Since the Minors WILL take place, the composition of the alt site guys won't be all the 18-19 y.o. guys... should be more "typical" vet AAA types.

If  75? In camp, but 5 out long term so far (Clevenger, Wingenter, Lawson, Nick Burdi non roster, now likely Jose Castillo).  That leaves 70.   26 + < 60 day IL in MLB (Strahm, others?)  Let's say 30.   That leaves 40 guys.  Guessing 25 at the alt site, 15 "down" to Minors camp.

But if 5 from the Alt site travel with team as the Taxi squad, doesn't really leave enough guys to scrimmage at alt site when Pads are on the road.  Even when at home have to "set aside" some guys as the taxi day-to-day for quick callups if neccy.  Gonna be like last year with short scrimmages based on P availability & probably coaches, P's, etc out in the field

Quote from fenn68 on March 10, 2021, 1:39 pm

Nix has an elbow ailment .... talking TJ surgery ...