Quote from WindsorUK on March 9, 2018, 5:13 am

Might be lonely for a while GHOF.......

Quote from lafnboy13 on March 9, 2018, 12:21 pm

No worries... I'll continue to be the board lurker.

Quote from dusty on March 9, 2018, 3:33 pm

I'm here now too upgraded from the monthly subscription to the year. I think these final spots are going to be fun to watch. Not an easy job for Andy. Looking forward to the seasons moving forward. I think the Padres may go bold and add Lucchesi to the team for opening day. I think it would do really good for the other prospects to keep working hard and keep improving.

Quote from sportwarrior on March 9, 2018, 3:39 pm

I have migrated, as well. Looking forward to seeing the site grow.

As for ST, Lucchesi had a nice outing today. Granted it was against what was essentially the White Sox B squad, but he still was impressive. I don't think it makes sense for him to break camp with the big league club for service time purposes, but he absolutely smells like the first SP promotion of the season.

Quote from 84padres on March 9, 2018, 7:38 pm

I made it here also. I was worried because I'm not very computer savy. I think I will try the monthly and upgrade later. Hpe to see everyone here.

Quote from Cptjack on March 9, 2018, 11:07 pm

2B, backup catcher, and LF/4th OF are still completely up for grabs it looks like.

If Lucchesi was on the 40man he'd probably have the 5th starter spot locked up.

Quote from fenn68 on March 10, 2018, 7:18 am

LF (4th OF) is still a question BUT spring training maybe creating a separation if the Padres look at 2017 results and look for improvement this spring (note: early ST should be good for hitter before the ML level pitchers start really working the hitters). Consider the 5 prime candidates ... OBP / SLG for 2017 and ST ... AB in ( ):

Renfroe ........... (445) 284/467 ...... (32) 265/500

Pirela .............. (312) 347/490 ....... (21) 500/571

Szczur ............. (178) 358/364 ....... ( 5) 429/500

Jankowski ...... (  75) 282/213 ........ (22) 333/318

Cordero .......... (  72) 276/424 ........ (29) 471/751

Assuming two make opening day (although Green has suggested three if they choose to only keep one of Spangenberg or Asuaje) ..... Pirela seems like a lock (plus the 2B back-up) since he was the best hitter of the group in 2017 and spring training.

On the flip side, Renfroe is being given every chance to win a spot but has shown no improvement with his OBP (coupled with being the worst of the five defensively) ... if the Padres reward performance, he has got a problem. He had a good May, 2017 but lackluster during the remaining season and even after his demotion to AAA his return was still poor (maybe even worse except for one game). Should be lighting up ST as a FB hitter against ST pitching (early) ... not. Needs to actually show some production to survive.

If they go with two reserve OF ... probably means Szczur survives since he can handle all three OF slots and seems to handle RHP well ... out of options and really no more than a veteran reserve.

Sort of gets down to Jankowski vs. Cordero ... both LHH who will be needed if the send out Spangenberg or Asuaje. Problem for Jankowski ... has not shown he can hit and not much a PH option. So, Cordero (although potentially needing some more AAA development) is beginning to look like the other OF on opening day .... Pirela / Cordero (L) in LF and Szczur.

Quote from 84padres on March 10, 2018, 8:59 am

I think Renfroe and  Pirela will end up in a platoon since Renfroe seems to be able to hit lefties and Pirela hit righties much better

Quote from jcp2400 on March 10, 2018, 3:32 pm

For those of you who doubted Urias' ability to play short...

 

https://streamable.com/6s2s7