Quote from fenn68 on February 20, 2026, 1:22 pm

First game of ST today. Obviously can't conclude anything out of the blocks but some interesting initial observations:

1. Tatis was batting 4th with the implication by the Padres announcers that Stammen implied that this is not just a ST show ... MAY become reality ... announcers suggested that Tatis did not think he was at his best leading off. Something to watch.
2. Castellanos started at 1B ... looked good on a couple of plays in the 4th / France was DH
3. Campusano started at C ... made two early ball/strike challenges from behind the plate and won both but also did one as a hitter ... and lost that one.
4. For my personal enjoyment ... the TV did NOT have the box for balls and strikes and as a result the announcers were not having on-going critique of the calls. The game just flowed with the commentary on the actual game ... more positive broadcast in my view.

Just fun to watch Padres baseball again even if a lot of minor leaguers and everyone just rounding into forum.

Quote from Randy Manese on February 21, 2026, 8:32 am

I'm thinking about moving Tatis to #2 and having Machado between he and Merrill.  Merrill is such a good contact hitter that he doesn't need that much protection in the #4 hole and that opens up the #5 spot to whoever is hot, whether it is Sheets, Castellanos, Laureano or someone not even on the roster yet (probably won't happen).  Similarly, where will you get the most out of Cronenworth?  Could be as high as 6th but as low as 8th; Fermin likely in the 8th or 9th hole.  There is some flexibility at the bottom of the line-up depending upon match-ups.  I like what I saw of Campusano yesterday behind the plate - he might end up playing more games at catcher than we originally thought; I think Stammen is more willing to give him a chance than Shildt did based on what Campy did when they played together in 2023.

Quote from fenn68 on February 21, 2026, 9:10 am

Agree that we see Campusano a lot catching ... Stammen has apparently a fair amount of confidence plus no real better alternative at this point. Also, I don't expect Fermin to catch more than 100-120 games since he has always been the back-up to Perez in KC so no history of catching a lot of games in a season plus want him "fresh" down the stretch.

With the current probable line-up ... Fermin/Campusano batting 9th seems the most likely and Cronenworth hitting 8th or 7th.

I like moving Tatis off lead-off and into a more impactful spot where he power  is more productive while potentially enhancing the work of the hitter before and after. Will be interesting to see where Stammen lands. For me a Merrill #2, Tatis #3, Machado #4 clusters the best bats early and put better speed / base running ahead of Machado. However, bit at sea on the best lead-off hitter. Stammen use Bogaerts yesterday ... might work given what is behind him. Maybe they could try Laureano but leaning towards Bogaerts ... at least to start the season.

Actually with this group of players ... probably will not be that bad no matter which line-up gets initially rolled out ... assuming if a weakness appears Stammen will be flexible enough to make changes (unlike Shildt with Arraez).

Quote from fenn68 on February 21, 2026, 10:01 am

Since in my mind there is only one slot in play for position players ... and maybe not that critical a decision ... think the ST challenge for the Padres is sorting through the initial 13 pitchers. Assuming no new injuries ... some will not stay in the organization just due to some not being eligible to be optioned to the minors ... let alone sub-optimal performance.

My working thesis has:

SP: Pivetta; King; Musgrove; Vasquez (out of options and best 2025 vs others)

RHRP: Miller; Estrada; Morgan

LHRP: Morejon; Peralta; Matsui

That leave 3 spots in play ... one SP, one RP, one swing man. Note that I am guessing Adam (quad) and Canning (Achilles) start on the 15 day IL BUT will have to be added and bump two once activated. So to start the season consider:

40 man roster (but no minor league options): Marquez; Waldron; Marinaccio;

40 man roster (with minor league options): Sears; Hart; Rodriguez; Mendez; Hawkins; Adcock; Acosta; Jacob; Hoeing

Non-Roster veterans: Buehler; McKenzie; Gonzalez; ... note that usually veterans signed to minor league deals get an opt out by a certain date if not put on the 26 man ... No idea on these but expect Buehler has one that could be as early as opening day hoping some other team will give him a ML deal.

ST will be really critical given the competition for Marquez, Canning, Waldron, Buehler ... four of the biggest names without options who recently have performed below average and hoping for an upside rebound to their pasts ... all will not ... will any?

Would not be surprised that by May 1 we see Adam back for the RHRP, Canning in as the "swing man" and Sears back as the #5 SP. Would be less surprised with a trade of a couple of arms for "prospects".

Quote from Randy Manese on February 21, 2026, 3:00 pm

Miranda absolutely killing it at the plate.  Not that good a fielder at 1b or 3b but we'll see how long we can hold onto him before he opts out.  Like the depth we've shown so far in the ST games.

Pena today and Hawkins yesterday looked like legitimate depth pieces at RH RP behind an already strong group.  Looking for Preller to do his magic with the best possible outcome if we trade one of our front line RPs.  Adam, if not traded, could come back earlier than we anticipate but there are a number of factors in play, including strength of schedule and generating trade interest for him or other RPs.  I don't Preller is done yet.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 21, 2026, 3:23 pm

We brought in these 1B options when we already had Miranda….he’s a professional hitter

Had already almost forgotten about him and Solak

 

Quote from fenn68 on February 21, 2026, 6:00 pm

Beware of the John Roskos syndrome!

Quote from Randy Manese on February 21, 2026, 6:49 pm

Miranda lost most of the 23 season to a right shoulder impingement and was in and out of the line-up in 2024 with a bad back (still had a 763 OPS and .284 BA) - he did  have a solid debut in 2022.  Still only 27 years old, if he can bounce back from a very uncharacteristic 2025 season, he could force a move.   Not a Roskos clone!  Gives Padres another option around the infield (has played a little 2b, but would be hard-pressed to play short)  if Song gets injured or fails to hit right away (Song has 3 options but probably has to agree to be sent down).

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 22, 2026, 2:18 pm

Campusano needs to get a hit in a Padre Uni soon….its gotta be in his head now.