Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 5, 2022, 4:46 am

Quote from Randy Manese on November 4, 2022, 11:47 pm

Jeremy,

Thanks for the article - hadn't seen it before.  While it is arguable that Merrill is the #1 prospect in all MLB, he certainly is #1 for the Padres now and may have been #1 in 2023 even if we hadn't traded all those top level prospects.  In my opinion, he still is not finished evolving into a hitter so there might be a good chance that he will slightly alter his swing to generate more fly balls than ground balls so that the power numbers will go up.  When you grow several inches and put on a lot of good weight in your senior year in high school, it is going to take a little time to know your new body and what it is capable of.  2023 will be his 3rd year and I'm predicting double figure HRs, even if he gets assigned to Ft Wayne vice San Antonio to start the season.

If Machado opts out after 2023, can see Merrill moving to 3b given his soft hands, good feet and strong arm.  Hopefully, Machado won't leave and we can pencil in Merrill in at either ss or 2b and batting 5th or 6th in the everyday line-up in 2024.

So he is basically Rod Carew/Tony Gwynn/Suzuki type hitter.. YES please! Don't change a thing...

Also retaining Machado and easing his time on his feet .100 games at 3B 62 DH with Merrill arrival .. and letting Merrill 30 SS 30 2B and 20 or so DH (140ish games) as we transition from Kim or Crone or add to the mix..keeps everyone sharp..fresh and healthy

** hope we see Merrill in SD in 2024 or 25.. But if we don't and have a WS because of it I am ok with that too

Quote from Randy Manese on November 6, 2022, 12:06 am

Robby Podorsky, a Padres minor league fan favorite, has retired as of 11/04/22.  Undersized but wonderful contact hitter with speed but who could not stay on the field.  Wish him well!

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 6, 2022, 3:26 am

Quote from Randy Manese on November 6, 2022, 12:06 am

Robby Podorsky, a Padres minor league fan favorite, has retired as of 11/04/22.  Undersized but wonderful contact hitter with speed but who could not stay on the field.  Wish him well!

Yeah I followed him closely.. would have been awesome in LF as a pesky SB guy (with the new rules) but had a H problem and I don't mean Hits.... Health!

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 11, 2022, 5:31 am

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/padres/korry-howell-676759

My will make his mlb debut "sleeper" pick for 2023.. CF/2B/SS.. SPEED

Quote from Randy Manese on November 11, 2022, 3:05 pm

First wave of minor league free agency decimated Padres AAA and AA position player roster.  Surprised several others, like Kohlwey,  Fernandez, Rodriguez and Ona did not file but maybe some of the eligible FA re-signed.  I guess we'll know more as we head into the 40 man roster freeze for the Rule 5 draft.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 11, 2022, 4:43 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on November 11, 2022, 3:05 pm

First wave of minor league free agency decimated Padres AAA and AA position player roster.  Surprised several others, like Kohlwey,  Fernandez, Rodriguez and Ona did not file but maybe some of the eligible FA re-signed.  I guess we'll know more as we head into the 40 man roster freeze for the Rule 5 draft.

Kohlwey actually has a shot at making MLB 26. Out of that group

Quote from Randy Manese on November 12, 2022, 11:39 pm

Although Dale and Eguy can play shortstop, the path for Merrill is pretty much open all the way to El Paso, should he be placed in San Antonio to begin the year.  Merrill's AFL experience showed he really doesn't need to start in Ft. Wayne, although he could if Padres brass feel he's not quite ready.  On the other hand, Padres like to challenge their prospects and Merrill is the kind of player who loves a challenge.  At his age, don't expect him to dominate at the AA level, but rather show growth and league average stats.

Quote from Henry Silvestre on November 14, 2022, 8:21 am

Quote from Randy Manese on November 12, 2022, 11:39 pm

Although Dale and Eguy can play shortstop, the path for Merrill is pretty much open all the way to El Paso, should he be placed in San Antonio to begin the year.  Merrill's AFL experience showed he really doesn't need to start in Ft. Wayne, although he could if Padres brass feel he's not quite ready.  On the other hand, Padres like to challenge their prospects and Merrill is the kind of player who loves a challenge.  At his age, don't expect him to dominate at the AA level, but rather show growth and league average stats.

Why not..? See what he can do for a month or so... if he still Merrill like A ball success.. you got a guy that is ready for 2024.. if he shits the bed .. A+ is only a flight away.. knowing Merrill.. he would push for a Sept call up ..he has that "grit/baseball IQ" adjustments pedigree to his game..

Quote from fenn68 on November 14, 2022, 9:36 am

BA just listed the 19 Padre minor leaguers that are now FA. Will be interesting to see how many (if any) the Padres re-sign. Otherwise from a position player stand point they will have to be scouring  the other minor league FA since looking at what is left in AAA/AA combined ... 3 INF (vs a normal 12ish). Might see some A+ types pushed up to AA sooner than thought but not great options. OF is a bit thin depending on the moves from AZ to A to A+  and thin at AAA. Pitching will get adds (they always do) but looks to be sufficient arms still around.

I see overtime work for the minor league coordinators / scouts for filling in the blanks.