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Spring Training 2023
#221 · March 20, 2023, 7:02 am
Was doing some research on Sullivan v Severino … leading towards Sullivan taking the 2nd C slot while Nola is on the IL.
First, Severino is “non-roster” and require a 40 man move but filling in for Tatis / Soto may also if Dahl and another non-roster is needed for opening day. Plus maybe Teheran needs to be added for Musgrove / Pomeranz / Morejon / Castillo of the 26 man. Then he signed a minor league / ML deal (no apparent opt out) that goes to about $2MM if added. If Nola is only out 1-2 months, that is a lot of disruption for a short fill. Add that most of what I have read is that in the recent past he has NOT been considered a good defensive catcher and a below average hitter. (Hence his ability to only sign a minor league deal).
Enter Sullivan … on the 40 man and at league minimum. LHH balance with Campusano. Considered a good hitter (no idea at that ML level) and a “versatile” defensive player … was a position player converted to catcher and can still play the corners INF/OF. No ever considered a great defensive catcher but apparently has be improving. Threw out two runners this spring with the Padres and had a good WBC.
I think you start with Sullivan / Campusano and IF that is not working can always call up Severino … both Sullivan and Campusano have minor league options. Then it depends on how quickly Nola returns. In the first month it avoids unnecessary roster moves until all the injured / Tatis return.
April … besides being the start of the real season … should be interesting with roster moves to accommodate who is not ready to play and what appears to be that a slew of non-roster options are out playing some of the 40 man roster types.
#223 · March 20, 2023, 8:00 am
Quote from BoosterSD on March 20, 2023, 7:35 amQuote from WindsorUK on March 20, 2023, 3:23 amWhere's Austin Hedges?
Signed a FA deal with PIT. So I dont think that he can be traded until June 1.
Wouldn’t want him and his 1 year / $5MM contract anyway … give up a prospect to see his lame bat get bumped to the bench when Nola returns.
Let us not panic and see the IL time with Nola with the production of the Campusano - Sullivan - Severino trio … don’t want to prejudge. If you want a plus defensive catcher who can’t hit … just add Seagle.
#224 · March 20, 2023, 8:14 am
Quote from fenn68 on March 20, 2023, 8:00 amQuote from BoosterSD on March 20, 2023, 7:35 amQuote from WindsorUK on March 20, 2023, 3:23 amWhere's Austin Hedges?
Signed a FA deal with PIT. So I dont think that he can be traded until June 1.
Wouldn’t want him and his 1 year / $5MM contract anyway … give up a prospect to see his lame bat get bumped to the bench when Nola returns.
Let us not panic and see the IL time with Nola with the production of the Campusano - Sullivan - Severino trio … don’t want to prejudge. If you want a plus defensive catcher who can’t hit … just add Seagle.
Correct, Hedges is not worth $5M, and definitely not $5M and a prospect.
The only move for C I would look to move for, would be D'Arnaud. And I dont see ATL making that move at this time. So got to go with what we have at this time.
Better hope for Soto and Tatis being ready as soon as possible, and that offense with those two will be able to carry the lack of offense coming from the C position.
#225 · March 20, 2023, 8:49 am
Nola is so tough that I would bet he comes back sooner than expected. Remember this is a guy who caught with a fractured bone in his foot without his teammates knowing in 2020. In the meantime it's Campusano's time to shine. Let's hope he's ready for it.
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Randy Manese
#226 · March 20, 2023, 9:57 am
Wasn't it last year on this board that posters were complaining how bad our catching situation was with Nola and Alfaro? Didn't they have the lowest caught stealing numbers of any two catchers in either league? The bar seemed pretty low. Sure pitchers like to throw to certain catchers but when Caratini was traded away, Darvish didn't become worse - he had his best full year in a long time. Did you know that when Gore was tearing up the California league his catcher was Campusano? Do you recall the strong finish that Musgrove had in 2022? Well, in the majority of those starts Campusano was the catcher. Not saying that Campusano is a gold glove catcher but rather he can play the position and will not be an embarrassment to the organization. He's caught virtually all the pitchers that have gone through El Paso the last two years, including those on rehab, and I'm sure he's worked very hard in spring training to develop a camaraderie with the veterans on the Padres staff. Lastly, with pitchers being able to call their own pitches, that part of the game is not as important as it once was. For you old timers, he won't be Terry Kennedy but he also won't be Derek Norris, who was one of the most despised catchers by a pitching staff that the Padres have had in their history.
#227 · March 20, 2023, 10:07 am
While I do believe that Campusano has "stiff" hands, and will admit that I have not seen enough of him to rate his blocking skills, I hope that he will be passable on the defensive side of the ball.
What makes me nervous so far, is his inability to transfer his AAA batting numbers to the next level. Does he just need more ABs? Or is his bat simply a 4A level bat? I know many on here believe in the bat, I am not yet convinced.
Obviously I hope that he proves me wrong, and the bat is enough that it will compensate for what I think to be less than average catching skills.
#228 · March 20, 2023, 10:34 am
Quote from BoosterSD on March 20, 2023, 10:07 amWhile I do believe that Campusano has "stiff" hands, and will admit that I have not seen enough of him to rate his blocking skills, I hope that he will be passable on the defensive side of the ball.
What makes me nervous so far, is his inability to transfer his AAA batting numbers to the next level. Does he just need more ABs? Or is his bat simply a 4A level bat? I know many on here believe in the bat, I am not yet convinced.
Obviously I hope that he proves me wrong, and the bat is enough that it will compensate for what I think to be less than average catching skills.
With only 85 ML AB scattered over 2020-21-22 in a filler role … should not draw any conclusions on his bat … either project good or bad … we will see.
I would not project him as an elite defensive catcher but need to see him catch over an extended period to see where he sits compared to all the other catchers in the league to see if he is “average” in a league with a lot of marginal catchers.
A lot of folks did not like Nola’s arm and Alfaro’s general defensive skills … so agree with the other post that defense is a low bar to hurdle on the Padres and in the league.
Keep in mind that the team worth is a balance of offense and defense … so we will see what Campusano has in both dimensions.
#229 · March 20, 2023, 10:54 am
Call me crazy but I see Sullivan as a lefty hitting Nola with a better arm VS running game -minus- the mlb experience
And if someone wants Hedges we have SEAGLER who is elite Defensive C with a 10 hits per 100 ABs type BAT aka Hedges lite
#230 · March 20, 2023, 11:01 am
I dont want to trade one of our top prospects for a C atm.. definetely not Merrill for a Tyler Stephenson.. cause we know what we got down the line... and besides that Sullivan and Campy led AAA EP to the postseason last season.. if Nola needs 8 weeks to get back IL 60 (retro to 3/18.. so May 17th return date or so if ready) him to open a 40 at seasons start .. might be a blessing in disguise letting Nola (33) get some rest early on anyway...
If the C position becomes too much of a problem there is always Gary Samchez (Dominican WBC C with ties to our DR players) and on the active MLB scene a Salvi Perez acquisition not out of the ? For this GM/Owner