Fans of the San Diego Padres got their first glimpse of what Nick Castellanos could be if he breaks camp as a part of the big-league roster. Castellanos went 2-for-3 in San Diego’s 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and that included a double and a two-run home run off the bat of Castellanos. He was signed with the expectation that he would provide slug on offense and compete for time at first base and designated hitter. Castellanos is not a refined first baseman by any means, but he has
not looked lost at the position as he tries to get used to having his feet back in the dirt after years in the outfield. If he can do what he did against the White Sox and continue to improve defensively, he could be this year’s Gavin Sheets for the Padres.
Padres News:
- The lineup construction under former manager Mike Shildt rarely changed. Fernando Tatis Jr. was the leadoff batter followed by Luis Arraez. Tatis and Arraez, when healthy and playing, were cemented into the top two spots. Under new manager Craig Stammen, it appears their will be some flexibility at the top of the lineup, but who is most often leading off for the Padres is unknown.
- The Padres have a number of players vying for the fifth spot in the pitching rotation and while one may stand out among the rest, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune says San Diego will need a combination of pitchers to fill the role of the fifth starter.
- Logan Gillaspie has been pitching well and could make the decision for Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla about who will make up their bullpen very difficult. San Diego is expected to have one of the top if not the top bullpen in MLB this season so breaking in could be a challenge for Gillaspie. Like the bullpen, the Padres’ starting rotation has yet to be decided and while he may not be ready for Opening Day, Griffin Canning is working to get back as soon as possible to add his name to the list of contenders.
- Tom Krasovic of the San Deigo Union-Tribune looks at the path Walker Buehler took to land him in San Diego. The World Series-winning right-hander was once thought to be a draft pick of the Padres but instead he was passed and he enrolled at Vanderbilt. After three years in college he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the rest is history.
Baseball News:
- Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after a recent positive test for a substance that is banned by MLB.
- Milwaukee Brewers starter Quinn Priester, who has been dealing with a wrist injury, may not be available to start the season.
