Hurt Headley Hinders Him Hitting Home Runs

On the Twittersphere today, just checking in on the latest gossip on Spring Training and people posting selfies of Chris Denorfia, when I came across news that only seems fitting for the Padres:

#Padres 3B Chase Headley has a strained right calf. On crutches as a precaution. He thinks it could be a couple of weeks.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) February 22, 2014

Well, uh oh! That sounds crappy!

Two years in a row? You've got to be kidding me right? Corey Brock is pulling my leg and hoping to find the tween that says "LOL JK", but as I scroll down the page and see Bob Scanlan and other confirm this tragedy, I must now accept that our Face of the MLB contestant is out....again.

I feel ya, buddy

With Chase Headley sidelined for the second year in a row during the Spring Training season, it can't help but make me a little frustrated about the start of Padres camp in Peoria. This is already the second injury (Max Fried) the Pads have seen and we haven't even made it through the first week. I am expecting soon to see Venable go down with a rattle snake bite, Maybin straining his elbow while brushing his teeth or some other fluke accident to make things worse.

Even though Headley's injury was deemed "minor" and "will be back in a few weeks", that doesn't put me in the greatest of moods knowing our star player and *crosses fingers* future extended player is hurt already in what I felt was going to be a big year. He wants to show '12 wasn't a fluke and he knows it is a contract year. Some numbers will be put up, right?

But, I see the silver lining. It did happen just in the first week of camp and that will give him plenty of time to recover and still have a productive spring and be ready for Opening Day. Couldn't be worse than last year when we trotted out Cody Ransom at 3B at Opening Day at Petco Park last year.

Well, get well Chase. We need you. Heck, I need you...mainly for fantasy baseball purposes, but your bat is welcomed with open arms into a hopefully potent (can I use that word talking about the Padres?) lineup.

Go Pads!

Padres Baseball Is Back: Spring Training Starts Today!

It is the best day of the year if you are a Padres fan. Spring Training has begun as pitchers and catchers have officially shown up to Peoria for the start of Cactus League workouts.

They will be playing their first set of catch with each other since the season ended last September. They will be meeting new teammate, such as big arm, Joaquin Benoit, and potential call ups for the first time. And they will begin their quest to bring a big league title to San Diego.

Let's pretend this never happened, Joaq....

For guys like Burch Smith and Matt Wisler, this could be a very important spring for them. Even though the 5-man rotation seems all but set, we as Padres fan laugh at the idea of that staying healthy long. No one would be surprised to see one of these five take an early spring training boo-boo that sidelines them to start the season.

So, Smith and Wisler. Burch Smith came up last year and started 7 games for the Friars, posting a frightening 6.44 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP to boot. Although, he did show us what he was capable of. In a September start, Smith was able to go 7IP, surrendering just 3 hits and no runs while fanning 10 Braves. Those are numbers I like to see.

Then there is Wisler, the Padres top pitching prospect. A long shot to make the roster for Opening Day, but apparently is supposed to have a go bag packed at all times just in case the Padres are ready to pull the El Paso Chihuahua up.

Lastly, another big question is Austin Hedges. It is not a question of "if" but more of a "when"? The guy has what many are saying the tools to be the best defensive catcher in baseball, and although his bat has been a little slow, hasn't Nick Hundley's? What are the chances Hundley has another repeat of 2012, in which he was sent down to Tucson for most of the year, or will Grandal and himself have healthy competition for games behind the plate this year?

Will we have two players donning "Smith" on their uniform on Opening Day at Petco, or will it take a little longer? I guess we will see what spring holds for the Padres. Good luck to everyone on the roster and for those fighting, fight hard. Only so many get this shot, so take full advantage.

We pray you work out too, Seth.

Dear Baseball Fans....

Dear Baseball Fans,

The start of another baseball season. The deep breath of anticipation as we await what February through October is going to bring to us. The next nine months of hope, speculation, heartbreak and triumph lay in front of us as we prepare for another long season. The great plays, the dramatic late innings, the home runs, the pitching dominance and every win or loss, we will be there.

These nine months are just as hard on them as they are on us. The hours we spend talking and wondering what this season will hold. The research we put in and all the moves we should have made in the offseason( and all the ones we shouldn’t) all come together and we plan our season.

As we plan our Spring Training trips, break out our teams gear, and pound our glove to get it ready for the first time since last October, it’s hard not to think that this is not our year. How much preparation we have put in, how much time we will have to sacrifice? How much work we will miss, how much money we will spend, how many minutes, hours, days we will spend in front of the television or radio, listening to every crack of the bat and every third strike call? It doesn’t matter. We will be there, we will be following and darn it, WE DESERVE THIS!

It doesn’t matter what our rivals say, it doesn’t matter what the analysts say or how long our odds may be. Let them all talk, let them all doubt, because no matter what, we will back our team. We will root, root, root for the home team. We will make our pilgrimages to our personal baseball cathedrals.  With every win we will feel the sensation of victory and every loss, the agony of defeat. We take them hard. Just as hard, if not harder than the players. Harder than we should admittedly, but still doesn’t hurt any less. For it will all be worth it come fall as we chase a Division and League Championship and make our claim for the best in the game.

It is hard to contain the excitement as players arrive to Arizona and Florida to brush off the dust and begin this journey. We will be there, too, and we will enjoy the ride.

Rejoice fans, for it is baseball season.  May your season be as enjoyable as mine will be!

Sincerely yours,

A Diehard Baseball Fan

 

 

Spring Training 2013: February 25th (Game 4)

The Padres face the Brewers with the rights to sudsy beverages as the victor's prize. Would the evil conglomerate empire or the valiant microbreweries prevail in this beer fight?

Your kung-fu is week, Fuzzles.

Not bear fight, beer fight! Oh thank Xenu, the jump is here.

Padres win 9-3 in Spring Training opener

First thing to be said: I am not going to do this every spring training game, I just thought in honor of a first game blowout victory, I would be willing to muster up some words of goodwill.

In my short synopsis of the game, it was basically over before it really began. The Padres drop a six-run dump on the Mariners which consisted of four hits, including a Jedd Gyorko Grand Slam, 4 walks, and a dropped fly ball. Cool Padres offense. Scored 3 more times knocking in 9 total on 10 hits.

Gyorko has the ability to spit venom which could prove valuable to earn a roster spot.

On the other side, San Diego's own,Sean O'Sullivan, did the Padres well giving them exactly what they would want in a Spring Training start going two hitless, scoreless innings.


So, what now? I know it is just one swing, but what if Jedd has an amazing spring? He has power, which we saw in Tucson last year, belting 24 bombs. Also, he has been taking strides to become a good asset on defense.

“I’ve always been known as a hitter first. I also want to be known for my defense and all-around play." 

So, this could prove to be a tough decision for Buddy Black. Do you bring him up to start the season, or hand over the job to Forsythe? And lets say they get more bad news about Evereth Cabrera's potential PED mishap in Miami? If I was a better man, and I am, I would say the Gyorko may start the season with the Padres, if the numbers and the defense can back it up.

As far as O'Sullivan, the pitching rotation is wide open as far as I am concerned for the maybe 3 and definitely 4-5 spots in the rotation. A good spring for him may prove valuable, and this start only helped put his name further in the mix of 10 guys.

Hey, Bret, I am the coach you know? I got this...

All in all, good to see a Padres win and start the season off with a bang. First place in the Cactus League! Hey, I will take what I can get.

Padres Spring Training Update: Fun For Everyone

Today is Tuesday, and if my calculations are correct, we are just...1,2...3. 3 days away from the first Spring Training game down in Arizona.

So, to sum that last sentence up, baseball games start Friday and I cry tears of joy.

Sometimes, there is crying in baseball.

It has been fun so far from the fan point of view to follow the flow of information regarding this new, upcoming season. Yes, starting the season off with more talk of the whole "Grandal did steroids" talk wasn't too enriching but he did say he was sorry. In the words of Hannah Montana, Nobody's Perfect (for a good laugh and my exact feelings, watch this). Obviously, the effects of the steroids are still lingering, as he won the Catcher's Olympics yesterday at Padres camp.


In my defense, I feel I get to poke him for 50 games. Fair trade.

Other news, six Padres begin gearing up to head to the World Baseball Classic in a few weeks with potential news of a seventh. Apparently, there is talks of Chase Headley joining the team as well. I don't this that is fair, considering they are playing in Arizona in their first fews games (USA! USA!)

Last news isn't much to wet my pants over, but Bud Black has announced opening day starter will be Sean O'Sullivan...for Friday's first Spring Training Game. Tyson Ross will start on Saturday.

It isn't much so far, but it is news and something you can tell your friends about. 

Then you get moments like these.

Trevor Hoffman pitches to camp invitee, Austin Hedges. I have a hunch he is giving a healthy dose of change-ups. 

Injury Noose: Liriano, Cashner, Darnell

Injury has become a six-letter word for Padres' fans this past calendar year, generally followed by many shorter (occasionally hyphenated) words that would have our dear mothers reaching for the Dial.

"You throw like a highly-touted and injured prospect, Liriano!"

Health news to chew on (along with some tasty bath salts) after the jump.

Grandal Plans to Say He is "sorry"

"Hey team, yeah, sorry I did steroids..."

How else can this really go down beside this? A news report came out today saying that Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal plans to apologize to the team on Saturday at Spring Training. He was tested positive last November for banned substance and received a 50-game suspension and recently has been suspected to be connected with the Miami PED scandal which has been the talk of the last few weeks.

My first thought was, how does one plan to apologize. Doesn't one just do it? I mean, if I did something wrong, I am pretty sure my girlfriend wouldn't let me plan to apologize, it would just be expected of me. I understand he wants to wait for the entire team to show up Saturday, but I would have been more excited to read an article stating that he has apologized.

 He really should be apologizing to me though. I was stoked on seeing him play this year after a great debut last year only to find him being suspended for 50 games. Now, I trade in his power at near .300 batting average to potentially seeing Nick Hundley get his swing back after his demotion to the minors last year.

Hundley had a pitiful season last year to say the least. Not only did he record career-lows in Home Runs (3), RBI’s (22), Hits (32), and Runs (14), his Batting Average (.157 32 for 204), On-Base Percentage (.219), and Slugging Percentage (.245) were awful.

This is most likely Nick's reaction after finding the news of Grandal in the offseason.

I personally hope to see a lot of John Baker over Nick Hundley this year if he is going to give a 81 point average jump from him (.238).

Yasmani, I forgive you. I really do. I am a disappointed fan, but I hope this is just a small blip on an otherwise promising Padres career.

Only two secure pitching spots? Let the Hunger Games begin!

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

The Padres opened up spring training yesterday with an astonishing 36 pitchers, all fighting for spots on the roster. Right now, according to Corey Brock, Padres beat writer, only Eddy Volquez and Clayton Richard have secure spots in the starting rotation for this upcoming year.

For a team that had 15 different pitchers start a game in 2012, this means that 13 of those starters from last year are now going to be fighting for 3 slots in the 2013 rotation. Who will they be?

Lets examine, first off, the 13 candidates:

RK	Player	Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS▼	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
1	Richard, C	SD	14	14	3.99	33	33	0	0	218.2	228	110	97	31	42	107	.267	1.23
2	Volquez, E	SD	11	11	4.14	32	32	0	0	182.2	160	88	84	14	105	174	.236	1.45
3	Bass, A	SD	2	8	4.73	24	15	1	1	97.0	89	59	51	10	39	80	.243	1.32
3	Marquis, J	SD	6	7	4.04	15	15	0	0	93.2	94	53	42	14	28	79	.258	1.30
5	Stults, E	SD	8	3	2.92	18	14	0	0	92.1	86	36	30	7	23	51	.249	1.18
6	Ohlendorf, R	SD	4	4	7.77	13	9	0	0	48.2	62	44	42	7	24	39	.304	1.77
7	Werner, A	SD	2	3	5.58	8	8	0	0	40.1	45	26	25	5	14	35	.285	1.46
8	Wells, K	SD	2	4	4.58	7	7	0	0	37.1	41	23	19	6	20	19	.283	1.63
9	Kelly, C	SD	2	3	6.21	6	6	0	0	29.0	39	23	20	5	10	26	.322	1.69
9	Suppan, J	SD	2	3	5.28	6	6	0	0	30.2	34	19	18	4	13	7	.281	1.53
11	Cashner, A	SD	3	4	4.27	33	5	0	4	46.1	42	23	22	5	19	52	.244	1.32
11	Luebke, C	SD	3	1	2.61	5	5	0	0	31.0	28	10	9	1	8	23	.233	1.16
11	Wieland, J	SD	0	4	4.55	5	5	0	0	27.2	26	16	14	5	9	24	.245	1.27
14	Moseley, D	SD	0	0	9.00	1	1	0	0	5.0	5	5	5	1	2	4	.263	1.40
14	Stauffer, T	SD	0	0	5.40	1	1	0	0	5.0	7	4	3	1	3	5	.333	2.00

Of those, as said earlier, the first two are your #1 and #2 guys on the roster, and you have a few that made spot starts out of the bullpen, so we can eliminate them. Now that leaves us with with about 5 other real potential candidates.

According to Padres.com, this is the depth chart. I think #3 is most likely correct as Stults put up a solid 8-3 record with a sub 3 ERA and should be a lock in the rotation, but after that, I feel these pitchers are literally battling for the Hunger Games trophy.

Time to make your case. Lets start with Tyson Ross.

Ross came to the Padres this offseason in a trade with the A's where the Friar got him and infielder A.J. Kirby for Padres utility man Andy Parrino and lefty Andrew Werner (if you had him in your Padres 2013 starting rotation pool at work, scratch his name off the list).

In Ross' three big league seasons with the A's, he has put up, well lets say, less than stellar numbers. He boasts a 6-18 record with a 5.33 ERA and 1.60 WHIP (including last years 2-11/6.50/1.80). How the Padres project him in the starting rotation? It is beyond me. So far, he hasn't posted anything significant besides a 6.18 K/9IP that would give me any indication he is ready for an instant slot into the rotation. I know I am not Buddy Black, but I would ship him down to the bottom of my list as of now.

Next, Anthony Bass.

This guy is one of my favorites. It may be because I tweet with him on occasion or the fact my girlfriend and him share an alma mater (GO WAYNE STATE WARRIORS!), but he didn't come off such a hot season last year neither. Posting a 2-8 record with a 4.73 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Not exactly eye popping numbers either, but Bass does have an upside. He is only 25 and last year was his first real big league experience. He had 80Ks in 92IP giving him a 7.42K/9IP. Bass walked 39 runners last year, so if he can get his control down, and focus in around the strike zone, in theory, his Ks will go up and his walks will go down. Based on potential, Bass has my nod at the #4 spot in the rotation.

#5 spot, now who to put in? A rookie or a veteran. That is the argument for this slot as Casey Kelly battles Jason Marquis. To keep inline with the Hunger Games theme a career tribute vs. Sector 12 (I am sorry if you don't read the books, go get some SparkNotes to fully understand this post).

Marquis came over midway through last season and started 15 games for the Padres going 6-7 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Once again, not eye popping, but solid numbers for a number 5. He has been consistent his whole career and the Padres did just throw him a $3 million/1-year deal, showing they have confidence in the 34-year old and have invested in him to be a starter.

Casey Kelly is a question mark. In 6 starts, Kelly went 2-3 with an above 6 ERA. Whatever. He is a rookie and a highly touted one at that. But, that being said, is he ready to make a roster spot? The Padres have him tagged as #6 and what I feel should should be opening day starter for the Tucson Padres. He has potential to do great things, as any 1st Rd draft pick does, but I don't think he is ready to do them quite yet.

So as far as opening day goes, my pitching rotation as head coach of the Padres (well if I was....) would be: Richard, Volquez, Stults, Bass, Marquis.

Still, it is to remain a mystery until everyone is through with rehab. Right now, the 23-year old Joe Wieland, former promotional jersey giveaway Cory Luebke and the fireballin', deer huntin', potential game closin'? Andrew Cashner are all out, but all 3 have started games for the Padres. Could one of them land in the rotation? Definitely. Let us fans hope that every pitcher pitches amazingly in hopes of not losing there spot, because right now, we have about 10 guys for 5 spots.

Again, let the odds be ever in your favor.

I know Jennifer Lawrence isn't in our rotation, but would that be awesome?

Go Padres.