Quote from fenn68 on March 29, 2022, 4:28 pm

Just an observation / inference on the Padres assessment of Merrill … they must really like him as a fast moving prospect.

Yes, minor leaguers show up in ST game … but the prospects from the lower minors usually just get a token late inning appearance in a game or two and the bulk of the minor league fill ins are veteran NRI (like Hinosoja, Lebya, Kohlway, etc.).

Merrill is showing up a lot and at SS/3B … and seems quite poised. He may have a short spell in Low A if the Padres like him that much and off to High A.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 29, 2022, 4:52 pm

Concur.  Merrill may pair with Angeles around mid-season with Angeles moving to 2b; they're less than a year apart in age.  If both do well, could advance to San Antonio in 2023.  Justin Lopez pretty much a place-holder at AA this year although he did look good at times at Ft. Wayne.

Behind them, Padres have Victor Acosta likely in Arizona League to begin 2022 but he could move up after Merrill goes to Ft. Wayne.  Padres also have Charlis Aquino, who will probably back up Merrill in Lake Elsinore, but he is not the prospect that Acosta or Merrill is.  Padres also signed a couple of highly thought-of international free agents whose primary position was expected to be shortstop - Yendry Rojas and Rosman Verdugo.  We should be good up the middle for many years to come even if Abrams moves off the infield.

Quote from fenn68 on March 30, 2022, 10:44 am

Considering this is from Acee (not a reliable source):

@sdutKevinAcee

A combination of there being a need for depth and CJ Abrams having shown so well in spring has Bob Melvin at least thinking about giving CJ Abrams some reps in CF. Thinking about it.

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Apparently Acee has some good mind-reading skills.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 30, 2022, 12:46 pm

Melvin told a group of reporters he was probably going to get Wil some looks in CF and brought up Abrams as well.

Quote from fenn68 on March 30, 2022, 1:14 pm

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 30, 2022, 12:46 pm

Melvin told a group of reporters he was probably going to get Wil some looks in CF and brought up Abrams as well.

Given this roster … he needs to get some looks at alternatives for CF IF Grisham goes down. Really no one in AAA seem likely … eg. Thompson or Azocar … for a long stint.

In that interview he also said he would have Profar a bit at 1B … besides LF … but that is it. Implies he is out a CF back-up or a middle INF back-up. (Not sure who is a middle INF back-up for a long stint if Kim or Cronenworth go down … I guess that also applies to Machado. Also, was pretty firm that Cronenworth is the 2B … no reps in the OF.

In my mind, still has to be a deal coming before opening day for a veteran back-up(s) in the INF/OF. Padres should have a RP or two (out of options) to deal.

As for Abrams hard to see him on the bench in ML … so AAA ready for a call-up with getting ABs. Question will they give him both INF and OF reps in the minors?

 

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 30, 2022, 1:45 pm

In an ideal world we would find a lefty mashing super utility type. Our OF and MI depth is seriously lacking and I don't think we really want to be relying on Profar and Kim. Realistically I don't know what's going to be available to us, so we might have to get creative.

I think Abrams should start in AAA and start mixing in some OF work. If Kim struggles he comes up to takeover for him. If Kim does well he focuses more on the OF and comes up when he's ready.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 30, 2022, 2:01 pm

Abrams to CF was eventually going to happen, whether the Padres wanted to admit it or not.  Have to get his speed, on-base skills plus defensive prowess (irrespective of position) on the field.  All he needs is reps and I expect he'll get them in the OF and INF at El Paso.  Kim has done enough in spring training to get that long look at shortstop and Croney can bail him out against tough RH pitchers.  In fact, Kim has done better at SS than Grisham has done in CF so that may be another reason Melvin in talking about Myers or someone else in CF.  Grisham needs to do those things that will make him stand out and that is not being overly passive at the plate and getting into pitcher's counts.  Hope to see improvement in the next 2 weeks.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 30, 2022, 2:19 pm

Let's not overreact to spring performances good or bad. I'm glad Kim is doing well and agree he deserves a look. Grisham is a gold glover with a solid bat. Sure there's room for him to improve, but Kim still has a lot left to prove offensively to be on Grisham's level.

Quote from Randy Manese on March 30, 2022, 3:25 pm

You're absolutely correct - just look at today's game.  Grisham good to very good; Kim not so good.  It's just frustrating to me to see Grisham wasting his talents.  Most projections I've seen have him as only a .245 hitter at best.  He should be at least a .265-275 hitter if he was to do over the course of the season what he did today.  There is still going to be some swing and miss but if he gets to .275 with 20 HRs and 20 SB's and plays a very good CF, then you have another pillar to build on for the future.