Padres Rotation Slowly Coming Into Focus
- Updated: March 31, 2015
Johnson is surely a rotation dark horse this summer (Image via Twitter)
As we knew it would, the Padres rotation is coming into focus and figures to be a strength for the team this summer in San Diego. Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, James Shields and Ian Kennedy are all doing what is expected of them this spring and havenâÂÂt had any injury concerns come up so far. Expect those four, anchored by the newcomer Shields and the exciting young arm in Ross, to maintain the Padres’ rotation dominance from last season.
The battle for the fifth rotation spot between Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne is far from decided, though. Neither pitcher is jumping out to claim the job this spring, as both have allowed over 1.5 base runners per inning this spring and both are allowing opposing batters to hit over .300 in Cactus League action.
Morrow’s start this week was also pushed back due to a blister issue, but that shouldn’t affect his ability to compete for the starting job.
Morrow is trying to overcome the past two seasons in Toronto where he failed to throw more than 54 innings in either season, and failed to be effective while doing so. He only threw 33.1 innings last year while racking up a 1.65 WHIP and just a 70 ERA+ to go along with a 5.67 ERA (but, in his defense, a 3.73 WHIP). Morrow must prove to the Padres he can not only be healthy, but effective, as his numbers from 2007 to 2012 would make him a fine fifth starter, especially at Petco Park.
Despaigne, on the other hand, only has 96.1 innings of big league experience, all coming last year, after defecting from Cuba earlier in his career. He threw the ball well for the Padres last season, to the tune of a 1.21 WHIP, just 85 hits allowed in those 96.1 innings, and an even 100 ERA+.
With Matt Wisler and Robbie Erlin optioned to the minor leagues last week, the rotation battle is between Morrow and Despaigne alone, but one guy to remember for later in the summer is Josh Johnson.
Johnson threw his first bullpen of the spring the other day and is on track to keep throwing as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that made him miss all of last year with the Padres.
Sure, Johnson won’t be ready for Opening Day, but his history (save for one bad year in Toronto) as a quality starting pitcher must make the Padres excited to have him on their roster as a rotation option several months from now.
I’ve been high on Johnson for a long time (here and here), seeing him as a potential low-risk, high-reward option based on his contract and ability. In an ideal world, he could step into the starting rotation in another six or eight weeks, should the Padres need him, and fit right in with Shields and the rest of their stellar staff.
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