Quote from Randy Manese on August 25, 2023, 6:58 pm

After taking long looks at Snelling, Mazur, Lesko and Bergert over the last few day, the latter is by far the most ready to make the leap to the big leagues.  Has good velocity, can spot his FB well and decent movement on his breaking stuff.  I can see him grabbing the 5th or 6th spot in the rotation next year.  The only other contender, since he will likely be on the 40 man, is Iriarte but he needs to build up his innings with consistent quality stuff - long relief out of the gate and we'll see how he goes from there.  Should be a number of openings on the Padres staff and certainly on the 40 man, so put these two in the mix for next year's staff, particularly if we lose Snell, Lugo and Wacha.

Quote from fenn68 on August 26, 2023, 6:15 am

Beginning to like the future of Marsee as a Padre … maybe sooner than most think.

Part of that is moving on from Grisham who will only has 2 more years of control … will likely be at $4-5MM in 2024 via arbitration purely on his defensive reputation but has proven a liability on offense. So, if Marsee can play decent defense in CF … his offensive threshold to be considered an upgrade is pretty low.

Marsee was only drafted last season out of College … just turned 22 … and got promoted to AA in his first full season. LHH who has delivered a slash line of 274/416/421 in 412 AB (most in A+) and only 88K vs 92BB. I am focused on his OBP … plate discipline potentially playing up at the ML level. Also recall reports last winter that other teams inquired on Marsee to be part of trade deals … so others see the upside.

Keeping in mind that he only has to be an upgrade over Grisham … not a star CF … IF Marsee has a solid AA finish this year … looks good in winter ball / ST … AA/AAA start to 2024, might we see him as an early CF call-up to bump Grisham? Or being more aggressive … and looking at the future / saving money … do they move on from Grisham over the winter (non-tender / trade) and gamble on Marsee being as good as (hopefully better) than Grisham.

I might just take that gamble … Grisham has worn out his stay and redeploying his $4-5MM to other upgrades while going with Marsee providing a least Grisham value …

Quote from Randy Manese on August 26, 2023, 8:14 am

I've been impressed with the Marsee I've seen since the end of June but for the first 3 months of the season, he was just at or below league average OPS and his OPS were mostly walk (OBP) driven.  Has Marsee turned the corner or is he just locked in for the past month and a half and will fall back to what he was earlier in the season?  He is a disciplined hitter, like Martorella and Zavala, and doesn't strike out much like Merrill but may be overpowered by either velocity or elite breaking stuff at the higher levels.  If he can continue making strides in barreling the ball and makes that good impression in winter/spring workouts, he might be the Grisham replacement but I've got to see more over a longer period of time.  Marsee tracks the ball well but I've seen him uncork some bad throws trying to keep a runner from taking an extra base.  Defensively, hard to replace Grisham, but the overall package potentially could be better.

Otherwise, if Padres are looking to move more quickly with Grisham, Jung-hoo Lee may be the guy which would make Marsee a desirable trade chip if they can sign him.  Of the current Padres CF's in the high minors (not really considering AAA), Marsee is probably the only one who can stick in that position unless Dillon Head proves to be as good as they hope.  I have questions about Robertson's bat and I believe Zavala will end up in one of the corner spots even though both he and Robertson are good to very good outfielders.  Hoping Marsee finishes strong and gives us a good alternative in CF!

Quote from fenn68 on August 26, 2023, 8:50 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 26, 2023, 8:14 am

I've been impressed with the Marsee I've seen since the end of June but for the first 3 months of the season, he was just at or below league average OPS and his OPS were mostly walk (OBP) driven.  Has Marsee turned the corner or is he just locked in for the past month and a half and will fall back to what he was earlier in the season?  He is a disciplined hitter, like Martorella and Zavala, and doesn't strike out much like Merrill but may be overpowered by either velocity or elite breaking stuff at the higher levels.  If he can continue making strides in barreling the ball and makes that good impression in winter/spring workouts, he might be the Grisham replacement but I've got to see more over a longer period of time.  Marsee tracks the ball well but I've seen him uncork some bad throws trying to keep a runner from taking an extra base.  Defensively, hard to replace Grisham, but the overall package potentially could be better.

Otherwise, if Padres are looking to move more quickly with Grisham, Jung-hoo Lee may be the guy which would make Marsee a desirable trade chip if they can sign him.  Of the current Padres CF's in the high minors (not really considering AAA), Marsee is probably the only one who can stick in that position unless Dillon Head proves to be as good as they hope.  I have questions about Robertson's bat and I believe Zavala will end up in one of the corner spots even though both he and Robertson are good to very good outfielders.  Hoping Marsee finishes strong and gives us a good alternative in CF!

I read that Lee was a GG type OF ... but has played more corner OF than CF (could be wrong) but maybe still can be a legit CF. Some worry in reports about his ability to hit velocity (just like Kim initially) but otherwise major contact hitter ... and again the Padres need some boost in offense and Grisham is not going to provide it ... so with "decent" defense any offense from Lee / Marsee is an upgrade and should lengthen the line-up.

I might be tempted to sign Lee and keep Marsee around (will not get much via trade at this point) ... move on from Grisham. Lee gets the first 2024 shot at CF and some insurance potential if Lee struggles / injured. Also, this team needs some OF depth in 2024-25 and even if Marsee is a 4th OF that may be better (lower cost) than the alternatives for the 26 man roster. If things fell right when Soto departs after 2024 ... Lee to LF and Marsee to CF while they wait to see the future of Zavala / Head / Bush / Pauley as LF or CF options.

Although Grisham is still a very very good CF ... after watching him this season and looking at defensive stats (always questionable) ... not sure that he is all that "elite" GG CF anymore. Given his lack offense ... need to make some gambles for that offensive upgrade.

 

 

Quote from Randy Manese on August 26, 2023, 1:38 pm

Dominican Summer League Padres Gold team did it again, coming behind from a 7-2 deficit to win 8-7!  Move on to semi-finals which begin on Monday.  Jose Cordero, who had been more good field than hit during the course of the season, led the team with 2 HRs.  Was given a moderate bonus at $625K in 2019 and has a lot of raw skills but still a long ways to go before being relevant as a prospect.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 26, 2023, 7:45 pm

Salas looking very lost at the plate, typically striking out after taking what look like hittable pitches.  When he does make contact, no impact/barrel behind it, so either pops up or grounds out weakly.  This is what he was doing at Ft. Wayne but at least there he seemed to get better swings.  I guess this is good for his growth and development?  Need to sit him down and let him watch with a lot of professional coaching and hitting in the cage.

Quote from fenn68 on August 27, 2023, 4:36 am

Quote from Randy Manese on August 26, 2023, 7:45 pm

Salas looking very lost at the plate, typically striking out after taking what look like hittable pitches.  When he does make contact, no impact/barrel behind it, so either pops up or grounds out weakly.  This is what he was doing at Ft. Wayne but at least there he seemed to get better swings.  I guess this is good for his growth and development?  Need to sit him down and let him watch with a lot of professional coaching and hitting in the cage.

Plus considering his age / development … could be just suffering a bit from a very long season … both a physical and mental strain for a 17 year old no matter the potential.

Quote from Randy Manese on August 28, 2023, 8:54 am

In a rare Sunday game in the Dominican, the Padres Gold team missed a golden opportunity to win their only scheduled home game of the 3 game series.  Trailing throughout the game, they were down 4-3 going into the bottom of the 9th.  They loaded the bases with no outs but then the next 3 batters all struck out!  I know, sounds like the big league squad, but I'm just being cynical.  Have to win today to keep series going and this is yet another Dodgers minor league juggernaut they are going against with the best run differential in the entire DSL.  One can only hope!

Update:  Padres led 9 to nothing heading into the 6th inning only to allow 10 unanswered runs and lose 10-9 in the 10th inning!  Had a chance to win both games, but choked.  At least, however, made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs which hasn't happened for the Padres team iin the Dominican Summer League in a very long time if ever!

Quote from sportwarrior on August 29, 2023, 4:00 pm

Just a random note on today's MadFriar's tweet re: the Missions...

I really like Jackson Merrill. Beyond his skills on the field, he's got a stellar makeup and personality. I love his approach and mentality, too. He just seems to "get it" moreso than most prospects his age. I'm excited to see him in SD, whenever that might be.