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Spring Training 2026
#51 · March 3, 2026, 8:52 pm
Quote from Commie on March 3, 2026, 5:41 pmQuote from fenn68 on March 3, 2026, 2:38 amWith only 11 ST games in and 3 weeks to go ... way to early to draw conclusions but never too early to express some concern about players trying to earn a spot on the team (the lock vets are not really an issue here). Two who have been spotlighted have not impressed ... Song and Castellanos.
Song has looked weak in the field (and he was supposed to be a plus defender) and clearly looks over matched at the plate (leads the team in K). Sure, may take a while longer to adjust to MLB but maybe a start every day in AAA is better than a bench slot with the Padres.
Although the idea of Castellanos appeals ... and he has made some nice plays at 1B (better than I expected) but remember he was a below average hitter last season in PHIL and has not hit well in his 14 AB this spring (with a nod to its early and small sample size). While he has made some nice plays at 1B (can debate whether an average defensive 1B would have made the same plays) he also has made some bad plays (throw into LF, over committed towards 2B on a ground ball vacating 1B) ... overall how may bad plays vs an average defensive 1B makes him a bad 1B? He has to show he can hit in my mind to beat out France (also a below average hitter in 2025) but a superior defensive option (at least based on 2025) or even someone not yet on the Padre roster via trade (remember they have some "excess" RP with some without options to use as good trade chips).
If both continue to struggle and neither make the 26 man roster ... will create an interesting domino effect on roster composition.
Pump the brakes on Song. If we look back at when Kim came over the same things were being said. Padres scouts are good at their jobs.
Loved years 2-3-4 of Kim in SD but his year 1: 202/270/352 yielding 71 wRC+ and a 0.4 WAR not so much. If Song's transition to MLB is similar to Kim's ... does a contending team want a 71 wRC+ player or are they better off with the adjustment to begin in AAA with the hope he becomes acclimated to the states and turns into a Kim like player for his years 2-3-4? Does Song have the best opportunity to develop as a bench player in the ML or starter in AAA?
Not writing off Song ... just trying to figure what is best for a 2026 contending Padre team and a developing 1st year player from Korea.
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LynchMob
#52 · March 3, 2026, 8:52 pm
Does anyone know where in the line-up Fernando batted today? Wherever it was it seemed to work - 3-3 with a double and 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
#53 · March 3, 2026, 11:46 pm
Quote from Randy Manese on March 3, 2026, 8:52 pmDoes anyone know where in the line-up Fernando batted today? Wherever it was it seemed to work - 3-3 with a double and 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
He hit 1st which is interesting since he reportedly doesn't want to be the lead off guy anymore.
#54 · March 4, 2026, 7:32 am
Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 3, 2026, 11:46 pmQuote from Randy Manese on March 3, 2026, 8:52 pmDoes anyone know where in the line-up Fernando batted today? Wherever it was it seemed to work - 3-3 with a double and 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
He hit 1st which is interesting since he reportedly doesn't want to be the lead off guy anymore.
Although hitting lead off for a couple of games for Team DR; with its loaded line up, is different than 162 game season. So wouldnt read too much into hitting lead off for the DR.
#55 · March 4, 2026, 9:16 pm
Quote from BoosterSD on March 4, 2026, 7:32 amQuote from Jeremy Hill on March 3, 2026, 11:46 pmQuote from Randy Manese on March 3, 2026, 8:52 pmDoes anyone know where in the line-up Fernando batted today? Wherever it was it seemed to work - 3-3 with a double and 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
He hit 1st which is interesting since he reportedly doesn't want to be the lead off guy anymore.
Although hitting lead off for a couple of games for Team DR; with its loaded line up, is different than 162 game season. So wouldnt read too much into hitting lead off for the DR.
I don't actually think it means anything. I read today that it's actually Stammen more than Tatis who wants him hitting cleanup. It seems like there's some manufactured lineup drama every off-season. Ultimately, I pay very little attention to it.
#56 · March 5, 2026, 2:53 am
Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 4, 2026, 9:16 pmQuote from BoosterSD on March 4, 2026, 7:32 amQuote from Jeremy Hill on March 3, 2026, 11:46 pmQuote from Randy Manese on March 3, 2026, 8:52 pmDoes anyone know where in the line-up Fernando batted today? Wherever it was it seemed to work - 3-3 with a double and 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
He hit 1st which is interesting since he reportedly doesn't want to be the lead off guy anymore.
Although hitting lead off for a couple of games for Team DR; with its loaded line up, is different than 162 game season. So wouldnt read too much into hitting lead off for the DR.
I don't actually think it means anything. I read today that it's actually Stammen more than Tatis who wants him hitting cleanup. It seems like there's some manufactured lineup drama every off-season. Ultimately, I pay very little attention to it.
Yeh, line-up construction seems always to be a talking point. Don't get the sense that Tatis has any strong feelings on this (did hear he preferred down in the line-up) but agree batting 4th is Stammen's call alone.
For me, Tatis' batting lead-off in 2025 was theory vs reality debate where theory was not working out with that team. Most of the season the team had trouble scoring runs and was bereft of productive power. Yet, Shildt kept their power bat in Tatis in a position were he hits with bases empty more of his AB (leading off and after a bad 7-8-9 in the line-up). He was supposed to run rampant on the base paths (he did not) and the batting champ Arraez should have a field day hitting with Tatis creating havoc on the bases (he did not).
Looks as though the current debate is Tatis batting 4th or 3rd with Stammen thinking 4th ... not sure why ... maybe to "protect" Manny at #3? Why not Tatis 3rd with Manny to protect him. Tatis at #3 preserves some of the lead-off logic of speed on the bases for Manny to drive in and adds base runners ahead of Tatis for his SLG to be more productive. Hopefully Stammen is more flexible than Shildt and is willing to adjust during the season if his line-up is not working.
Keep an eye out for Bogaerts leading off vs LHP and Cronenworth vs RHP. Neither is the classic lead-off image but both do have a decent history of OBP vs opposite handed pitchers. Croney does see a lot of pitches and that is good for those who follow. Have to work with who you have.
Will be interesting to analyze he effect of added power starting after #4 as Stammen sorts though Sheets - Laureano - Castellanos - Andujar. Will they generate more runs and will them being in the line-up actually help Manny and Tatis be more productive? TBD. Remember who the team had in 2025 ... and still won 90 games.
#57 · March 5, 2026, 8:44 am
I like the Bogaerts v LHP and Croney v RHP to lead off idea. Further, with a stronger bottom of the line-up this year, expect to have more runners in scoring position and both are decent in advancing runners and driving in runs. So, with that said, I'm still holding out for Tatis, Jr. at #2 followed by Manny and Merrill. This allows Laureano to hit 5th and the Sheets/Castellanos 1b platoon to hit in the 6th hole. Hitting 7th would be either Bogey or Croney, followed by Andujar and Fermin. I think that is a run-generating line-up that will far surpass last years' early season line-ups.
Not against Tati batting 3rd, however, who would bat #2? Merrill? Like him more as protection for Machado since Merrill can really do damage with runners on base as can Machado. If Tati does bat 3rd, maybe we can flip-flop Bogey and Croney in the 1st two slots, depending upon the handedness. That way we can keep most of the projected line-up the same by just pushing everyone down one except Andujar and Fermin.
For sure, Fermin/Campusano will occupy the 9th hole, but could be a lot of shuffling after Merrill that will likely work itself out as ST continues.
#58 · March 6, 2026, 11:47 am
Song aggravated his oblique strain (originally injured in January) and will be sidelined. "Slight" oblique strains have a history of becoming long term if not handled well / given a max time for recovery.
So, given his role for now as a bench piece ... fair guess he goes to the IL to start the season ... ensure a full recovery ... and (maybe a benefit) allow him the 20 day rehab in AAA games playing every day.
Would expect McCoy to get that middle INF slot in the interim ... on the 40 man and a plus defensive SS/2B.
#59 · March 6, 2026, 11:50 am
Buehler looked good is his work yesterday ... maybe into the leader spot for #5. Sears OK but not compelling (and he as a minor league option) looking more like a AAA starter for now. McKenzie is quickly moving out of the discussion ... the lack of command clearly over shadows his "stuff".
Marquez and Gonzalez go tonight ...
#60 · March 6, 2026, 12:56 pm
Guessing it's between Buehler and Marquez.
Sears to AAA....Canning to il....Mckenzie to waivers which he probably gets though and goes to AAA/AA