Balance reigns supreme as Padres fill out position player spots?
This browser does not support the video element.
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The position-player half of the Padres¡¯ roster is set.
Outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been informed he¡¯s made the team, which finalizes the group of 13 position players who will comprise the Padres¡¯ roster. Lockridge will mostly serve in a bench role -- where he can showcase his excellent speed and defense. But he might platoon with the lefty-hitting Jason Heyward in left field as well.
¡°I just told them I¡¯d be ready for whatever opportunities I¡¯m given,¡± said Lockridge, who is on an Opening Day roster for the first time. ¡°I¡¯m just thankful I was given this opportunity. ¡ There were a lot of emotions.¡±
The Padres have yet to announce any corresponding moves, but the decision creates a number of ripple effects on the roster. Here¡¯s what it all means:
Lockridge¡¯s fit
Two-thirds of the Padres¡¯ starting outfield is settled, with Jackson Merrill in center and Fernando Tatis Jr. in right. But there was a vacancy in left field entering camp.
Heyward, who signed with the club just before Spring Training, was also informed he¡¯s made the club (which comes as no surprise). He¡¯s the projected starter in left. But Lockridge should bring value there as well.
Lockridge batted .364 with an .891 OPS in Cactus League play (entering Monday¡¯s finale). He also swiped seven bags and played excellent defense.
¡°The one way I¡¯ve been taught to think about rosters is: How does the player beat the other team?¡± said manager Mike Shildt. ¡°Simple terms. ¡®The thing about Lock is he can do it a lot of different ways.¡¯¡±
Indeed, Lockridge will be counted upon as a pinch-runner and presumably as a defensive replacement for Heyward (once an elite defender, now less so). But Lockridge could also get starts against left-handed pitching. As it would happen, the Padres face one of the best lefties in baseball on Opening Day in Atlanta¡¯s Chris Sale.
It¡¯s entirely possible Lockridge will be the Padres¡¯ Opening Day left fielder.
Six roster cuts
Sunday offered a deadline of sorts for a handful of players with opt-outs in their contracts. As such, the Padres made early decisions on Martín Maldonado, Yuli Gurriel and Jose Iglesias: All three will make the team.
This browser does not support the video element.
That left seven players in camp theoretically contending for the final place -- the spot ultimately won by Lockridge.
The Padres have yet to announce any corresponding moves. But Lockridge¡¯s inclusion means six cuts are forthcoming. Connor Joe, Mason McCoy and Luis Campusano (who lost the backup catcher battle to Maldonado) can be optioned to the Minors. Oscar Gonzalez has an in-season opt-out clause in his contract if he¡¯s not with the big league club. But for now, he can be reassigned to the Minors as well.
Meanwhile, Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario are in jeopardy of being lost from the organization. The two utility players are out of options and cannot be sent to the Minors without first clearing waivers.
¡°That was as tough a decision as I¡¯ve been a part of at any level,¡± Shildt said of this year¡¯s roster cuts. ¡°Those were hard decisions and hard on some really quality guys that are big league players.¡±
This browser does not support the video element.
A versatile bench
Presumably, seven places in the Padres starting lineup are set, with two spots as potential platoons. It might look something like this:
1. Luis Arraez, DH
2. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
3. Jackson Merrill, CF
4. Manny Machado, 3B
5. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
6. Xander Bogaerts, SS
7. Sheets/Gurriel, DH
8. Heyward/Lockridge, LF
9. Elias D¨ªaz, C
This browser does not support the video element.
With Monday¡¯s decisions, the Padres¡¯ bench is set, and it¡¯s a versatile one. Iglesias can play all over the infield and might earn starts against left-handers. He¡¯s a valuable pinch-hitting bat, too. Lockridge brings his own skill set off the bench. Plus, whoever isn¡¯t starting in those two platoons will serve as pinch-hitting options on a nightly basis.
¡°We¡¯ve got a deep team,¡± Shildt said. ¡°We¡¯ve got a good team. And we¡¯ve got options, which is always good.¡±
What¡¯s left to decide?
The Padres have three spots open on the pitching side of things -- two in the rotation and one in the bullpen.
Kyle Hart, Randy V¨¢squez and Stephen Kolek are vying for two openings in the starting five -- with Michael King, Dylan Cease and Nick Pivetta already locked in.
In the bullpen, the Padres¡¯ preference for a capable long-man seems to make Logan Gillaspie the slight favorite for the last spot over Ron Marinaccio and Juan Nu?ez. A decision is forthcoming.