The San Diego Padres held their first full squad Spring Training workout Wednesday in Peoria, a little less than a week after pitchers and catchers reported to camp.
Outfielders Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Wil Myers, catcher Derek Norris and starting pitcher James Shields headline a group of new acquisitions that first-year General Manager A.J. Preller worked tirelessly to bring in.
Other acquisitions included relief pitchers Shawn Kelley (trade-Yankees), Brandon Maurer (trade-Mariners), third baseman Will Middlebrooks (trade-Red Sox), shortstop Clint Barmes (FA) and starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (FA), who all expect to contribute at some point in 2015.
With the abundant amount of acquisitions there are a couple of position battles that will get resolved during Spring Training.
First off, there will be a battle to see who gets the majority of starts at third base between the incumbent Yangervis Solarte and the newly acquired Middlebrooks.
The signing of James Shields left just the No. 5 spot in the rotation to be filled and there are many players vying for that last spot.
That list includes right handers Odrisamer Despaigne, Brandon Morrow, Matt Wisler and Casey Kelly, along with left hander Robbie Erlin.
Another development to watch will be the possible move of outfielder Carlos Quentin to first base.
According to Padres.com, Preller will have Quentin—due $8 million in 2015—take ground balls at first base in order to get him more at bats this season.
While Opening Day is still 40 days away, here’s a look at 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
Projected rotation
1. James Shields , 14-8, 3.21 ERA in 2014
2. Andrew Cashner , 5-7, 2.55 ERA in 2014
3. Tyson Ross , 13-14, 2.81 ERA in 2014
4. Ian Kennedy , 13-13, 3.63 ERA in 2014
5. Brandon Morrow , 1-3, 5.67 ERA in 2014
Projected bullpen
Closer: Joaquin Benoit, 11/12 saves, 1.49 ERA in 2014
RH setup man: Shawn Kelley , 4.53 ERA in 2014
or RH setup man: Brandon Maurer , 4.65 ERA in 2014
LH setup man: Alex Torres , 3.33 ERA in 2014
