Outlandish Padres Predictions
- Updated: March 25, 2015
Watch out for Yangervis Solarte this summer (image via Twitter)
We’re at that point in Spring Training where everyone gets a little testy from watching so much exhibition baseball while knowing there’s so much more to go. Can’t these guys just get started already? We’re ready for games that matter and big leaguers playing all nine innings! Sure, Spring Training is nearing its end, but it isn’t quite there, and we’re still stuck watching #96 pitch to #89 with #92 catching and #87 in right field. Ahhh, the glory of the Cactus League.
Anyways, why not have a little fun in the mean time? I’ll start us off with some outlandish predictions for the Padres. Have fun with these; they aren’t guarantees or oh-so-super-serious sports pundit predictions. But, crazier things have happened than what I came up with below, so maybe one or two will come true. I’m not going to bat 1.000, but I’d be cool hitting .200 on these.
The Padres will land Hector Olivera or Alex Guerrero. It’s no secret that the Padres need middle infield help, and perhaps they (or someone else) will have signed Olivera by the time this post runs. But whether it’s Olivera, or Guerrero (whom I have written about), or someone else, look for the Padres to go after a serious middle infielder to help them on offense. Whoever it is had better hit.
Jedd Gyorko won’t return to his rookie form. Gyorko had a sophomore slump last year, in part due to a recurring foot injury, but I don’t expect him to return to his rookie form this season, even assuming full health. I think he’ll strike out a lot, hit for a low average again, fail to fulfill his power numbers from his rookie year, and necessitate the move for an infielder (see above).
Will Middlebrooks will prove he isn’t a big leaguer. Maybe I’m just a pessimist, but I believe 2015 will be the year we all find out Middlebrooks isn’t a big leaguer in the long run, and the shine will completely wear off of his prospect status. His numbers (and health) have declined year after year since his rookie season in Boston, and the move to San Diego only delays the inevitable.
On the other hand, Yangervis Solarte is due for a breakout! Let’s scrap the pessimism for a moment, and assume that Middlebrooks and Gyorko struggle this year; that leaves open slots not only for a newcomer (or Cory Spangenberg), but also Solarte, who I believe, is due for a breakout with the Padres. He hit respectably in 535 plate appearances last season split between the Yankees and Padres, and he’s having a solid spring in Peoria. Watch Solarte come out of his shell this year (and he needs to, because the Padres are going to need somebody).
James Shields will have a monster season. Shields alone won’t push the Padres into contention in the NL West, but he’ll help a lot, and he will anchor the rotation that’s already strong and deep. This isn’t exactly an outlandish prediction, maybe, but he’ll have a career year coming back home to southern California. Will it be enough to push the Padres into the playoffs? That remains to be seen…
Josh Johnson will return in force. Johnson threw his first bullpen of the spring this week, eleven months after having Tommy John surgery, and he’s on track to return to the team in late May or early June. He won’t win the Cy Young Award or replace Shields as an ace, but the Padres have a very interesting pitcher in Johnson, a forgotten man who had a solid career in Miami for several seasons until it was derailed by injury. I’m buying low on Johnson and expecting him to make a difference later this summer for the Padres.
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