Padres: Month 1 Reaction

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Record: 10-19
NL West Standing: 5th Place, 10 GB
NL Standing: 13/15
Current Draft Pick: 6th Overall

Best Winning Streak: 3 Games (4/13-4/15, haha Giants)
Best Losing Streak : 4 Games (first 4 games of the season)

805West Reaction  

That's Padre Baseball. Pretty standard first month of the season, maybe even a little bit better than normal. But it is safe to say that this team isn't making any type of magical run this season. Anyone who thought this team could go .500 has already checked out until next April. Let's face it, most fans aren't watching the games everyday by this point. Does that make you any less of a fan? Of course not! It's a long ass season, and it's Padres Baseball.

If you have watched parts of half of the games you're in the 90th percentile. I'm guessing anywhere from half to 75% of the Golden Age of Padres Podcasts don't even watch the games at all. I don't listen to SD Radio that much anymore but I'm sure 75% of those guys are checked out as well. If you're one of the people who are pissed off at this team's W/L record then take a Xanax and remember the only thing that we should care about: player development (especially the Hot Lava Talent).

One of the more troubling trends is the rate this team strikes out at the plate. As a team they have 303 strike outs in 1093 plate appearances (23%). That percentage jumps up to 31% if you use at bats (986) instead of PA's. Players are walking back to the dugout with a bat in hand more than 10 times a game on average. A rumor I just made up  heard says that opposing teams are leaving lists of "Games to Play" in the field because it has gotten so boring on defense at Petco.

"Well, the pitchers must be significantly contributing to that number" (Some 53 year old in La Mesa, probably). False. Take out the pitchers, and the hitters on the team have 277 SO in 934 ABs for a nice round 30% K rate at the dish. It's not just Francy or Renfroe, so everyone can just STFU about that already. It's the whole team. Is this on Andy Green? Matt Stairs? Big Mac?  The coaches in the minors? To be honest, I don't know. But there's a kink in the chain somewhere and it's ruining the beach cruiser.


Andy Green 

I have been an Andy Green supporter. He is only his in 3rd year and if you're being truthful he hasn't had any real talent to manage. I have been a believer in the idea of letting this guy stay in charge as the waves of talent come through in the next couple of years to see what the "defensive shift sensei" can do with some actual players. But that banks on two things right off the bat: are the prospects going to turn into actual MLB players (avg at worst) AND is Green the guy who can help the players reach their potential?

To be blunt (#StayBlunt), my support is wavering. The AG haters are getting louder in my ear and the voices are starting to make more sense. No, I don't think it's his fault these guys can't put the bat on the ball. No, I don't think it's his fault that Myers can't stay healthy. No, I don't think it's his fault he has to send out Bryan Mitchell every five days. But some of his decisions are questionable to put it nicely. One example in particular that stands out in my mind as I type this is when Hunter Renfroe was left out of the lineup the day after being a hero in the game before. Shit like that just rubs me the wrong way. I am not on team #FireAndy just yet, but I'm approaching the picket line. 


Standouts - Hitting


Christian Villanueva
329/424/726; 8 HR, 18 RBI, 15 R

One thing that you MUST give Andy Green props for is his relatively quick decision to pull the plug on Chase and insert Villanueva into the lineup at 3B. The decision has been proved brilliant since Chase started zero for infinity at the plate. In his first 85 plate appearances, Villanueva is responsible for 17% of the 114 runs scored by the Padres this season (RBI + R - HR divided by Team Runs). That's just stupid. 


Eric Hosmer
281/389/438; 2 HR, 4 RBI, 14 R

The HR and RBI totals aren't anything to be impressed by, but the dude gets on base and at least crosses the plate himself. Just watching him as a Padre in the first month is refreshing because he's a tough out at the plate. The numbers will catch up to his actual production. 

Franchy Cordero
234/269/531; 6 HR, 13 RBI, 10 R

Thank you Buddy Black for telling your pitcher to throw one at Manny, which sent him to the DL, which allowed Franchy to come up to San Diego. The most exciting player we have had in a long time. Each AB is must watch TV. Yes he will probably strike out half the time, but if you turn away at the wrong time you might miss the 450 foot shot that traveled 115 MPH off the bat. You don't find guys like this often. using the same formula for Villanueva above, Franchy is responsible for 15% of Padres runs scored in only 68 PAs. Want to smile some more? Click here and play around with the categories and see how often you see Franchy's name.This guy isn't going anywhere. 


Standouts - Pitching

Joey Lucchesi
3-1, 32.1 IP, 2.78 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 35 K, 10 BB, 3.15 FIP

No doubt these rookies are fun to watch. Joey Fuego debuted early this season as the first official pitching member of the Hot Lava Talent to make his way up to The Show and he has not disappointed. If there's any silver lining to the Lamet injury, here it is. Lucchesi has been the brightest crayon in the starting pitching coloring box, fooling hitters with his deception and showing why the hype was real. 

Tyson Ross
2-2, 29.2 IP, 3.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 31 K, 10 BB, 3.08 FIP

Despite all the rookies success on both sides on the ball, Tyson Ross is my favorite story thus far this season. Such a genius move by Preller this offseason to bring him back. No risk all reward. Of course, he came close to the first no hitter in franchise history while the team figured out how to lose that game eventually. For big fans of Tyson like myself, this story should end with tears. If he keeps up his production and his health, it would be foolish to hold on to him after the deadline. Especially since the Padres screwed up this situation the first time around. Sad.

Adam Cimber
1-1, 18.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 23 K, 3 BB, 1.17 FIP

One of the last guys to make the opening 25 man roster, Cimber has been the workhorse out of the bullpen. Despite giving up runs in three previous consecutive appearances, he got back to cruise control Saturday pitching 1.1 scoreless innings in the win vs the Mets after three days of much needed rest. He's been more than solid while pitching the most innings by a reliever on the team. He has pitched as much as three innings in two different appearances, and clearly has the trust of Balsley and Green. Sorrey about the picture Adam, I couldn't resist.


More Reactions

I'm officially over Wil Myers. He just made his second trip to the DL in this short season. The guy can't stay healthy. He acts like a five year old with ADHD, saying dumb shit like "I get bored in the OF." Look, it was a classy move to be willing to move to the OF for Hosmer. When he is healthy and playing, he's one of the more exciting guys to watch. But with Margot, Franchy, and others in that logjam, I feel like his window is closing, or it should be. Preller has done so many awesome things for this organization, and he is allowed to screw up just like anyone else. He hasn't screwed up a ton, but sending Trea Turner and Joe Ross away for Myers was a major f*ck up. I don't even want to think about what Tatis-Turner-Urias could have been because it will drive me nuts. 

Jose Pirela sucks. Just get him away from the starting lineup already. On the five tool scale he scores a zero. His brief success was nice, but he's not apart of the future and at this point is simply delaying more call ups. People seriously wanted this guy to take ABs from Renfroe? A guy who could possibly be apart of the future if he can get an opportunity to figure some stuff out. When Hunter or Myers or both get back healthy there is literally no reason to have Pirela on the team.  Franchy and Margot can't leave the lineup, and it can't be that much longer before Urias gets the call. Rip the bandaid off AJ.

F*ck Bryan Mitchell and the horse he rode in on. Preller really botched that one too. 


Social Media Reaction










Can't see the GIF but you get it .

We aren't ageists so here's some reaction from Facebook (Go Like and Follow cabrons)






Woody caught on to the best highlight of the year, just sayin'




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