San Diego Padres
LINEUP
Jason Bartlett-SS, RH
Orlando Hudson-2B, SH
Chase Headley-3B, SH
Ryan Ludwick-LF, RH
Brad Hawpe-1B, LH
Will Venable-RF, LH
Nick Hundley-C, RH
Cameron Maybin-CF, RH
BENCH
Jorge Cantu-1B/3B, RH
Kevin Frandsen-UTIL., RH
Eric Patterson-OF/2B, LH
Chris Denorfia-OF, RH
Greg Zaun-C, SH
STARTING ROTATION
Matt Latos-RHP
Clayton Richard-LHP
Tim Stauffer-RHP
Aaron Harang-RHP
Wade LeBlanc-LHP
BULLPEN
Dustin Mosely-RHP, long relief
Chad Qualls-RHP, mid relief/setup
Ernesto Frier-RHP, mid relief/setup
Joe Thatcher-LHP, lefty specialist
Luke Gregerson-RHP, 7th inn.
Mike Adama-RHP, 8th inn.
Heath Bell-RHP, Closer
Patterson was aqcuired via the Gonzalez trade, and he provides speed off the bench. He's also out of options so I think he's a lock.
Frandsen is going to be competing for a backup job, but there really isn't any other player who is as versatile, so he's almost a done deal unless he gets hurt or hits .050 in ST.
I think Zaun being a switch hitter is going to edge him over Rob Johnson and Guileermo Quiroz for the backup backstop job.
The biggest question mark is both the bullpen and the starting rotation. George Kontos was the Padres' Rule 5 pick from the Yanks' system. His fate relies on both his performance in ST, and who ever locks down the 5th starter spot.
Luebke was the org's top pitching prospect last year, and is close to if not ready, and was solid in his four outings last year.
Wade LeBlanc has options, as does Luebke, but he doesn't offer the same ceiling and with his velocity being in the mid 80s, he's a goner if he can't locate.
Moseley is on the team regardless of his role, but is going to be given a legit chance to lock up the 5th spot in the rotation. If he does, it becomes a win for the Padres in that Luebke can be optioned down to AAA Tuscon and get more time, and Leblanc can fill the spot start/long relief role out of the pen. I don't think there is much hope for Kontos.
I think this is Chase Headley's last year to show he's the guy going forward. Defensively, he was astounding last year. But he fell off a cliff the second half with the bat, and he has still yet to display the power he showed in 2007 and 2008 in the minors. He really doesn't fit into the middle of the order, so I think he's best slotted for the 3 hole if he hits the way he did the first half of 2010.
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