What to watch for as the Padres open the second half
The Padres begin the second half of the season Friday with an intradivisional series and something at stake. The visiting Giants and the Phillies are the only major league teams with worse records than the Padres. With the exception of 2015, when the signing of James Shields cost a first-round selection, it?s been nearly a decade since San Francisco picked ahead of San Diego in the draft.
Jockeying for position next June is just one thing to watch over the next 74 games. Here are five others:
Trade season
Among Padres possibilities, Brad Hand seems the likeliest to be dealt by the July 31 non-waiver deadline. The All-Star reliever?s value is at an all-time high, and more than a few teams would gladly add him to their bullpens. The Padres? biggest trade chip won?t reach free agency until 2020. A considerable return could be in store.
Other players who could move include relievers Brandon Maurer, Ryan Buchter and Craig Stammen. Starting pitchers Trevor Cahill, Jhoulys Chacin and Clayton Richard are potential short-term rentals. Second baseman Yangervis Solarte had been drawing interest, but his oblique injury increased the chances he remains in San Diego past the deadline.
Continued auditions
Catcher Austin Hedges, center fielder Manuel Margot and right fielder Hunter Renfroe look like long-term pieces, but that doesn?t diminish the importance of their second-half reps. The trio?s ability to make adjustments and absorb lessons from a full major league season will continue to be tested. Another youngster, second baseman Carlos Asuaje, has made a positive impression in a brief stint this year.
Dinelson Lamet should get plenty more turns in the big-league rotation. Another rookie, Phil Maton, could find himself a late-inning regular if the Padres sell off a couple relievers. Rule 5 draftees Allen Cordoba and Luis Torrens could be in line for increased playing time.
Wil Myers
Last season, Myers went from hitting .286/.351/.522 before the All-Star break to hitting .223/.316/.381 the rest of the way. This year, the franchise first baseman will attempt a sort of reverse, having put up a middling .255/.331/.466 slash line.
In 2016, Myers? second-half decline was at least partially explained by the fact that he had never before played a full season in the majors. Now, a young team is looking to him to anchor the offense.
Seeking to spark Myers, manager Andy Green moved him from the three-hole to the leadoff spot shortly before the break. As long as Jose Pirela continues hitting, the Padres could continue the experiment.
Second-half call-ups
Third baseman Ryan Schimpf and outfielders Franchy Cordero and Jabari Blash may hit their way back from Triple-A El Paso. Shortstop Jose Rondon, who?s had a decent season, also will be in the mix.
Right-hander Michael Kelly, the 48th overall draft pick in 2011, should make his major league debut sometime before October. Walker Lockett, despite being slowed by injury, is another candidate to join the San Diego rotation in the second half. Brad Wieck, El Paso?s 6-foot-9 lefty, could be the next relief prospect to earn a promotion.
Health matters
While Alex Dickerson is out for the season after undergoing back surgery, fellow outfielder Travis Jankowski is on the way back from his early-season foot injury. Solarte might return from the disabled list late this month.
The Padres? rehabbing pitchers are mostly further away. Miguel Diaz and Jarred Cosart have been out because of forearm/elbow strains. Christian Friedrich?s attempts to get going have repeatedly been thwarted. In more encouraging news, Buddy Baumann has moved to Double-A San Antonio on his rehab assignment. Robbie Erlin, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May, could push for a late-season return.
Carter Capps, who recently suffered an ankle injury, has yet to make his much-anticipated Padres debut.
The Padres begin the second half of the season Friday with an intradivisional series and something at stake. The visiting Giants and the Phillies are the only major league teams with worse records than the Padres. With the exception of 2015, when the signing of James Shields cost a first-round selection, it?s been nearly a decade since San Francisco picked ahead of San Diego in the draft.
Jockeying for position next June is just one thing to watch over the next 74 games. Here are five others:
Trade season
Among Padres possibilities, Brad Hand seems the likeliest to be dealt by the July 31 non-waiver deadline. The All-Star reliever?s value is at an all-time high, and more than a few teams would gladly add him to their bullpens. The Padres? biggest trade chip won?t reach free agency until 2020. A considerable return could be in store.
Other players who could move include relievers Brandon Maurer, Ryan Buchter and Craig Stammen. Starting pitchers Trevor Cahill, Jhoulys Chacin and Clayton Richard are potential short-term rentals. Second baseman Yangervis Solarte had been drawing interest, but his oblique injury increased the chances he remains in San Diego past the deadline.
Continued auditions
Catcher Austin Hedges, center fielder Manuel Margot and right fielder Hunter Renfroe look like long-term pieces, but that doesn?t diminish the importance of their second-half reps. The trio?s ability to make adjustments and absorb lessons from a full major league season will continue to be tested. Another youngster, second baseman Carlos Asuaje, has made a positive impression in a brief stint this year.
Dinelson Lamet should get plenty more turns in the big-league rotation. Another rookie, Phil Maton, could find himself a late-inning regular if the Padres sell off a couple relievers. Rule 5 draftees Allen Cordoba and Luis Torrens could be in line for increased playing time.
Wil Myers
Last season, Myers went from hitting .286/.351/.522 before the All-Star break to hitting .223/.316/.381 the rest of the way. This year, the franchise first baseman will attempt a sort of reverse, having put up a middling .255/.331/.466 slash line.
In 2016, Myers? second-half decline was at least partially explained by the fact that he had never before played a full season in the majors. Now, a young team is looking to him to anchor the offense.
Seeking to spark Myers, manager Andy Green moved him from the three-hole to the leadoff spot shortly before the break. As long as Jose Pirela continues hitting, the Padres could continue the experiment.
Second-half call-ups
Third baseman Ryan Schimpf and outfielders Franchy Cordero and Jabari Blash may hit their way back from Triple-A El Paso. Shortstop Jose Rondon, who?s had a decent season, also will be in the mix.
Right-hander Michael Kelly, the 48th overall draft pick in 2011, should make his major league debut sometime before October. Walker Lockett, despite being slowed by injury, is another candidate to join the San Diego rotation in the second half. Brad Wieck, El Paso?s 6-foot-9 lefty, could be the next relief prospect to earn a promotion.
Health matters
While Alex Dickerson is out for the season after undergoing back surgery, fellow outfielder Travis Jankowski is on the way back from his early-season foot injury. Solarte might return from the disabled list late this month.
The Padres? rehabbing pitchers are mostly further away. Miguel Diaz and Jarred Cosart have been out because of forearm/elbow strains. Christian Friedrich?s attempts to get going have repeatedly been thwarted. In more encouraging news, Buddy Baumann has moved to Double-A San Antonio on his rehab assignment. Robbie Erlin, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May, could push for a late-season return.
Carter Capps, who recently suffered an ankle injury, has yet to make his much-anticipated Padres debut.
