Quote from Hester Prynne on February 26, 2022, 9:11 am

Padres minor leaguers reported mid-Feb.

Quote from fenn68 on February 26, 2022, 9:24 am

Quote from Hester Prynne on February 26, 2022, 9:11 am

Padres minor leaguers reported mid-Feb.

Not sure but think the mid-February reporting was for a "selected group" of minor leaguers (basically a mini-camp) not the full slate ... but they should be all there now (or his weekend) I guess.

I NEED some local reporting to fill the void that has been going on for three months.

Quote from fenn68 on February 28, 2022, 4:05 pm

Well, minor league baseball should get a lot of visibility when they start in April … considering there is a good chance MLB will not be playing … maybe until July.

Not sure on MLB.network but should expect to see a lot of minor league games on that network and subscriptions to MiLB.TV ought to soar.

The players will probably get more hype than ever before and, if playing well in April / May have a chance to displace some veteran fringe ML players / FA on the 26 man roster given the lower cost and already in game shape for a short run season.

=========

I feel sad for Gore who is at a critical point in his career after a couple of non-play years (missing season / injury) and command struggles … yet can’t get any coaching / game time during the lockout.

To a lesser extend same issue with Rosario and Campusano … prospects not developing.

Quote from fenn68 on March 3, 2022, 5:17 pm

I believe AAA minor league games start on Apr 5 … other leagues about the same time.

IF the lockout lingers for a couple of months, the minor league players may be a bit of an  advantage (being in game condition … if effective). Teams in a shortened season will want to hit the ground running and some costly “fringe” 40 man roster types may not be that much better than the low cost minor leaguers if they are not in game condition out of the gate.

So the minor leaguers will be getting a “showcase” period. From the Padres perspective that could get Abrams into the mix given the need for two bats for now. Also, consider someone like Kopps (some other RP) … and that may allow the Padres to deal some of their RP assets (maybe for talent, maybe to save payroll to deploy on a FA bat signing).

Padres will have to pare some RP without options (opening up slots on the 40 man) … others with options may need a longer ramp-up time … sure seems like a set-up for an expected add for the opening day roster. Also helps having more arms who can be optioned / recalled.

Also, fringe FA … who are not in game shape may not get ML deals (losing out to minor leaguers) and end up signing minor league deals just to get back into game shape.

EP and SA rosters should be interesting in early April and potentially volatile around the CBA settlement period.

Quote from Hester Prynne on March 3, 2022, 6:40 pm

Here’s a little bit of news from mlb.com

https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/padres-minor-league-camp-preview.html

Quote from Hester Prynne on March 5, 2022, 4:41 am

Interesting comment near the end of this article. Essentially, the Padres side of the Spring training complex is closed to media and scouts. I wonder for how long…

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-prospects-dazzle-in-glimpse-of-scrimmage-vs-padres-organization/?amp=1

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2022, 1:13 pm

The first “classic” early ST story of the year on the Padres website. A feature on a player that is as long a shot as possible to make the ML but with an interesting story line.

Padres sign Mitch Walding … a 29 year old corner INF/OF for 10 years in the minors (not much of a hitter) … who the Padres will try to convert to a catcher. Never caught in a game. Big arm with some power.

A nice story of perseverance (human interest) … probably to the ACL and never heard from again.

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2022, 1:20 pm

In scrabbling for small things … AJ Cassavell is reporting on the inter squad game Peoria … so baseball lives.

1. Kopps strikes out Max Ferguson

2. Merrill singles off Camarena and aggressively rounds 1B.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 13, 2022, 6:29 am

Has anyone seen the letter Michael Curry wrote about why he retired?

I saw it in Twitter and not sure how to link it here.

The gist is he retired because he kept getting passed over by guys who only got ahead of him because of where they were drafted and not due to performance.

He is really bitter that he never got the opportunity he feels “his performance” warranted.

Hard to get ahead as a 4th outfielder in the minors….and when someone ahead of him got hurt they brought up someone from the level below him or from the level ahead of him and he still didn’t get regular playing time.

Then,yes,he also discussed minor league pay and being away from family etc…

The reality of minor league ball for those not drafted high…