Quote from Randy Manese on March 25, 2022, 5:14 pm

9 pitchers were reassigned to the minor league camp today with most on their way out the door.  Might see a couple of the younger ones, like Belen or Felipe placed at San Antonio but other 7 - Brink, Burdi, Camarena, Fillmyer, Higgins, Northcraft, and Scholtens are likely gone unless there are a few injuries in the next couple of weeks.  Still a lot of pitchers to be cut before the minor league season opens for El Paso on 5 April and the other lower level minor leagues on 8 April.

Quote from fenn68 on March 25, 2022, 6:20 pm

Not sure they are all around still but I have 36 non-roster pitchers between AAA and AA then add maybe 7 or so roster arms that will be optioned and some number of High A rostered pitchers that could be elevated to AA.

So maybe between 45 and 50 pitchers battling for 13 slots in AAA and 13 slots in AA … some will be IL but still a good 20 will see the door.

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Since they were in ML camp … those sent down may have a better chance to remain in AAA than most of the veteran minor leaguers that were not NRI.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 31, 2022, 11:19 am

Today's Q & A with Hassell shows how locked-in he is to improve his hitting and his willingness to make those small adjustments to make him even better.  I love that attitude and hope some of the younger and even older veterans on the Padres club adopt that same awareness and acceptance that some of these analytic approaches are actually helpful.

I understand the need to get starting pitchers up in their pitch count so that we get into a lesser talented bullpen, however, if hitters hunt that hittable fastball early in the count, won't that put the same kind of pressure on a pitcher if he has baserunners on to deal with and faces more batters early?  Not saying we have indiscriminate hackers up there, but don't find yourself in pitcher's counts so often that you let that pitcher dictate the game vice force him to make adjustments.  Let's see how this year goes, but hopeful we'll be just a tad more aggressive early in the count than last year and see what result that brings.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 1, 2022, 12:05 am

Minor league rosters should be announced this weekend.  Really disappointed with the showings of Aderlin Rodriguez and Trayce Thompson, in particular, who looked lost at the plate in spring training - don't know if they'll even make the El Paso roster.  Likewise, Leyba had every opportunity to win the back-up infielder job at the major league level being a switch-hitter and able to play all infield positions - he too failed but may still have value since neither Batten or Hinojosa did much either.  Best showing of an El Paso position player was Kohlwey but there should be a lot more talent on this year's El Paso team than last year, particularly with the pitchers they are expected to have.

San Antonio will struggle early but strong teams at Ft. Wayne and Lake Elsinore will make their second half much better.  I'll be visiting the latter two cities this year and watching many games on MiLB network.  System should show a lot better than last year with a lot of arrows pointing upward in player development.

Quote from Randy Manese on April 2, 2022, 3:45 pm

With the exception of El Paso, beginning (tentative?) minor league affiliate rosters were announced.  Not many surprises, but didn't see Homza, Juan Fernandez, Cole Cummings and Christian Heredia listed so could be injured.   Likewise, many pitchers are probably starting the season on the injured list or extended spring training, so likely will see some changes as April rolls on.

Quote from fenn68 on April 2, 2022, 6:21 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 2, 2022, 3:45 pm

With the exception of El Paso, beginning (tentative?) minor league affiliate rosters were announced.  Not many surprises, but didn't see Homza, Juan Fernandez, Cole Cummings and Christian Heredia listed so could be injured.   Likewise, many pitchers are probably starting the season on the injured list or extended spring training, so likely will see some changes as April rolls on.

Plus the minor leaguers in ML camp have not been deployed yet ... maybe all destined for AAA but when it come to pitchers I have over 25 still in the mix (non-roster and 40 man roster options) for AAA ... might see some bumping down in the process.

Should hear on EP soon if they start play on Tuesday.

Quote from LynchMob on April 3, 2022, 4:58 pm

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/story/2022-04-02/padres-minor-league-rosters-san-antonio-missions-fort-wayne-tincaps-lake-elsinore-storm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2022, 5:30 pm

With Angeles traded, it will be interesting to see if Merrill is moved up to Hi A Ft. Wayne vice Lake Elsinore to start the season.  He seems like he would be able to handle it, but a big jump from high school last year to the Midwest league where the pitching is going to be a whole lot tougher.  At the Hi A level, Padres don't have too many options unless they send Given back down until Merrill shows he's ready to make the jump.  I do think, however, Merrill will be in Ft. Wayne some time during this year.

Quote from fenn68 on April 4, 2022, 4:37 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on April 3, 2022, 5:30 pm

With Angeles traded, it will be interesting to see if Merrill is moved up to Hi A Ft. Wayne vice Lake Elsinore to start the season.  He seems like he would be able to handle it, but a big jump from high school last year to the Midwest league where the pitching is going to be a whole lot tougher.  At the Hi A level, Padres don't have too many options unless they send Given back down until Merrill shows he's ready to make the jump.  I do think, however, Merrill will be in Ft. Wayne some time during this year.

A fair chance they use Dale at SS at FW to start … he played all the INF slots in LE last season and hit well. Also, would not be surprised if the Padres found a filler minor league journeyman to sign.

But agree Merrill may be a shot at A+ sooner than later.