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#1711 · January 6, 2022, 4:06 pm
Quote from Randy Manese on December 24, 2021, 1:25 pmThe minor league player I want to see in person is Jackson Merrill and I'm expecting him to be on a very strong Lake Elsinore team in 2022. The reason why is that Merrill, just a year or so ago, was only about 5:11 and 150 pounds and a lower level prospect. He now is over 6:03 and may still grow to 6:04 and has got to be close to 200-205 pounds. With a growth spurt like that and if he gained corresponding strength without losing bat speed, he could become a legitimate power source. He may eventually outgrow SS and move to 3b and could be the eventual replacement for Machado at 3b, if he grows into his body and progresses as expected. It seems he has a much higher ceiling than Hudson Potts. If he gets anywhere close to the Jung brothers in terms of batting prowess, it will have been a steal in the 1st round. Hoping for the best!
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/san-diego-padres-2021-mlb-draft-report-card/
Best Pure Hitter: Shortstop Jackson Merrill (1) has the physical skills to be an above-average hitter and an advanced approach for his age and experience level. He has a balanced swing, recognizes breaking pitches exceptionally well and does a good job hunting fastballs and driving them up through the middle of the field.
#1712 · January 12, 2022, 10:49 pm
Thanks for sharing this topic......
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MrPadre19
#1713 · January 13, 2022, 2:27 pm
Probably not but there is some rationale to have minor leaguers report to ST a bit earlier than scheduled with the expectation the ML ST will probably not start until mid-March after the CBA is approved:
1. The coaches are available … the facilities are available … so (at least for the AAA/AA and top prospects) getting them in for extra development work would seem valuable to player development
2. “Opening” the ST facilities and having them up an running will allow for a more expedient insertion of the ML players after CBA approval … maybe not putting as much pressure on delay of opening day.
3. For minor league players (and for the organization) a longer look by the decision makers (and more ST for readiness to play on March 31) may elevate some of the minor leaguers to the opening day roster so the team hits the season “sharper”.
4. IF the minor leaguers show well … they may be added at “league minimum” at the expense of “fringe” FA or “fringe” roster players who will earn more. Might open up a roster player for a trade for an upgrade elsewhere … the minor leaguer does not even have to make the roster opening day but show well enough to be comfortable with him as a call-up to allow for a trade of a roster player in ST.
Simply the more a prospect is seen and is developed … the more options for Preller in forming a 26 man roster.
#1714 · January 13, 2022, 3:25 pm
Per BA the Padres have signed 10 minor league FA since Nov 15 … primarily to fill out the AAA roster but still “interesting”.
The “headline” name is Nomar Mazara (ex Texas) … LHH (27) … a good shot of making the 26 man out of ST.
Three who were in the organization in 2021 and became FA: Luis Castillo LHP (now 24 recovering from TJ); Wester Rivas C (now 30 and has been a serviceable system man for a long time); and Luke Westphal LHP (32).
Some journeymen: CJ Hinojosa INF (26); Thomas Milone LHH OF (27); Domingo Leyba INF (26); and Adeline Rodriguez 1B/3B (30).
An A-ball type in Angel Filipe … RHP (22).
Then there is the guy to root for … Matt Swilley RHP (31) out of Oceanside. Has not pitched in organized ball since 2015 … had TJ surgery … was working as a pitching instructor then held a workout in 2021. Scouts came out to see him sit in the 97-99MPH range Padres signed him. Sure a mega long shot but at that velocity … there is a chance.
Looks as though the Padres have the bodies to fill a AAA roster without pushing someone up who should be in AA (where bodies are also in short supply).
#1715 · January 14, 2022, 9:24 am
According to MLBTR, today the Padres have signed both Jose Castillo and Webster Rivas to MiL contracts. Obviously Castillo is still rehabbing from TJ. Looks as if Rivas will probably sit in El Paso as depth and back up to Campusano to start the season.
#1716 · January 14, 2022, 1:38 pm
I did not realize we actually signed Mizara!
Maybe catch lighting in a bottle?
Little risk, big reward?
#1717 · January 14, 2022, 5:11 pm
Like the signings of Mazara and glad we got Castillo back in the organization. Really hoping he progresses well and we can keep him in the organization even further.
Never saw the signing nor did I see the info on the Oceanside kid. Just reading that little bit really strikes me as the storyline from the Dennis Quaid movie The Rookie.
#1718 · January 14, 2022, 6:16 pm
Even in his best years, 2018 and 2019, Mazara was slightly below average offensive production (94/95 out of 100). The hope was that he would take it to the next level but 2020 and 2021 were not kind to his game. Falling barrel and hard contact rates probably account for the dramatic drop in HR/FB rate and eventually BA/SA. Prior to 2020, he was showing gains against RH pitchers but that also crashed in 2020, however, it recovered in 2021 so that he would probably be better against righties than any of our current roster options. Given his age, experience and possible platoon situation, he's probably a better bet to contribute to the Padres in 2022 than Abrams, although Abrams will be the far better player in the long run. I think he has a very good chance of making the team unless the Padres are able to land a more impactful LH bat that can play every day. Padres minor league system is coming back strong and Abrams will be the highlight of that recovery.
Likewise, very happy to see if Castillo can FINALLY come back. He has enormous talent but has to stay on the mound.
#1719 · January 15, 2022, 8:51 am
Quote from Randy Manese on January 14, 2022, 6:16 pmEven in his best years, 2018 and 2019, Mazara was slightly below average offensive production (94/95 out of 100). The hope was that he would take it to the next level but 2020 and 2021 were not kind to his game. Falling barrel and hard contact rates probably account for the dramatic drop in HR/FB rate and eventually BA/SA. Prior to 2020, he was showing gains against RH pitchers but that also crashed in 2020, however, it recovered in 2021 so that he would probably be better against righties than any of our current roster options. Given his age, experience and possible platoon situation, he's probably a better bet to contribute to the Padres in 2022 than Abrams, although Abrams will be the far better player in the long run. I think he has a very good chance of making the team unless the Padres are able to land a more impactful LH bat that can play every day. Padres minor league system is coming back strong and Abrams will be the highlight of that recovery.
Likewise, very happy to see if Castillo can FINALLY come back. He has enormous talent but has to stay on the mound.
Mazara seems like a good look and see on a minor league deal given the other current Padre options. "Potentially"
a power hitting LHH OF/DH who even if the last man on the bench would be useful. IF he could still deliver a 90-100 wRC+ off the bench that would be good. DH platoon with Alfaro if nothing else materializes.
He does have history with Preller who seems to like his players from TEX ... Profar and Alfaro off the top of my head.
#1720 · January 15, 2022, 9:05 am
Always love to follow a potential hidden gem emerging out of nowhere ... realizing they usually fade before impacting the ML. I offer for 2022 Ethan Routzahn are 23 year old RP who was signed as a free agent last summer.
Routzahn bounced around a bit in his college career before ending up at St. John's as their closer ... did not pitch a lot but was effective. Did not get drafted (always a warning sign). About 6'4" / 225 (I think) with a low 90s FB and quality slider.
Padres introduced him in the ACL the quickly jumped him to LE where he delivered a 16K/9 rate with low BB/9.
Will his stuff play at a higher level? Probably not but he is a RP with a quality slider and sometimes that will allow a player to move up effectively ... how far?????