Story and photo by Chris Stone
The high hopes of Padres fans filled the hot desert air Saturday at Peoria Sports Complex as fans flocked to see the new lineup at Spring Training 2015 on the second weekend of spring games.
San Diegans and locals fans filled area hotels and brought baseballs, cards and photos for autographs to the complex shared with the Seattle Mariners north of Phoenix.
Fans peered through chain-link fences, gathered along a player pathway to wish players a good season and played catch in patches of grass.
Fans were attracted to new players: outfielders Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Wil Myers, catcher Derek Norris, starting pitcher James Shields, third baseman Will Middlebrooks and shortstop Clint Barmes.
The Padres beat the Texas Rangers 2-0 with right-hander Andrew Cashner pitching the first four scoreless innings.
Opening Day is April 6, when the Padres travel to play the Dodgers. The home opener is April 9 against the World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Padres FanFest at Petco Park is April 4.
The projected Padres lineup, rotation and bullpen courtesy of Padres.com:
Projected batting order
1. CF Wil Myers
.222 BA, .294 OBP, .320 SLG, 6 HR, 35 RBI in 2014
2. 3B Yangervis Solarte
.260 BA, .336 OBP, .369 SLG, 10 HR, 48 RBI in 2014
3. RF Matt Kemp
.287 BA, .346 OBP, .506 SLG, 25 HR, 89 RBI in 2014
4. LF Justin Upton
.270 BA, .342 OBP, .491 SLG, 29 HR, 102 RBI in 2014
5. C Derek Norris
.270 BA, .361 OBP, .403 SLG, 10 HR, 55 RBI in 2014
6. 2B Jedd Gyorko
.210 BA, .280 OBP, .333 SLG, 10 HR, 51 RBI in 2014
7. 1B Yonder Alonso
.240 BA, .285 OBP, .397 SLG, 7 HR, 27 RBI in 2014
8. SS Alexi Amarista
.239 BA, .286 OBP, .314 SLG, 5 HR, 40 RBI in 2014
Will Middlebrooks, who is in competition with Solarte for the third-base postion, played in Saturday’s game.
Fans spread out blankets for the park in the park area of the Peoria Sports Complex.
One-year-old Cassidy Cates from Oceanside was one of the youngest Padre fans at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.
Baseballs piled in a bin at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Padre veteran Randy Jones watches the action in a B Squad game in Peoria.
Little leaguers watch their big time counterparts.
Justin Upton’s helmet flies off while he reaches third base.
Clint Barmes catches a ball over his shoulder for an out.
Beer was a popular drink at the game in the mid-90s heat of Arizona.
Padre Closer Dale Thayer pitches in the top of the ninth.
Padre players signed autographs for fans after morning workout. Photo by Chris Stone
Outfielder Abraham Almonte slides into second base.
A player keeps cool in the mid-90s heat.
Jedd Gyorko swings at a pitch.
First Baseman Yonder Alonso beats a runner for the out.
Padre Manager Bud Black reacts to a fan before the game.
Starter Andrew Cashner pitched the early innings out the game with the Texas Rangers
Outfielder Cameron Maybin shares a laugh before the game.
Young children sneak a peek through a fence to watch batting practice.
Battling practice begins at 9 a.m. for the Padres at Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona.
Jedd Gyorko warms up with fellow infielders before the game.
Padre Manger Bud Black watches the prospective Padres during late innings of the Padres vs. Rangers game in Peoria.
Outfielder Cameron Maybin loses his batting helmet while stealing second base.
Jedd Gyorko keeps lose between innings.
The lineup for Saturday’s Padres vs the Rangers game is posted in the Peoria Sports Complex.
Padre players thrilled fans by signing autographs after morning practice.
San Diegans made the journey across the desert to see the 2015 Padres up close at Peoria Sports Complex.
Pitcher Justin Hancock throws in a B Squad game
Outfielder Will Venable, with fans reflected in his glasses, signs autographs after morning practice.
Rightfielder Wil Myers (left) and First Baseman Yonder Alonso chat in the dugout before the Padres vs. Ranger game.
New Padre outfield Matt Kemp attracted a crowd of fans at Spring Training at the Peoria Sports Complex.
