San Diego Padres 2018 Season Preview
The San Diego Padres had a rough 2017 campaign. However, they also showed why there is plenty of hope for the future.
At first glance, the San Diego Padres 71-97 record may not seem that great. Yes, it was a three game improvement over their 2016 performance, but that is hardly anything to be excited about. However, that record was 12 games better than their Pythagorean record, showing that they were able to win quite a few games they would not have been expected to.
Likewise, the future began to arrive in San Diego. Outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot showed a great deal of promise as rookies, leading to the hope that they will be building blocks for the future. Wil Myers continued to be a star, a key piece to the middle of the lineup. San Diego continued to supplement the lineup, making a major splash in free agency as they signed Eric Hosmer, as they hope he can be part of the answer in the middle of the lineup.
There are still holes in San Diego, particularly amongst the starting rotation. As it currently stands, Clayton Richard is listed as being the ‘ace’ of the rotation, although he would be a better fit as a fourth or fifth starter. There are plenty of promising youngsters coming through the ranks, and Danielson Lamet and Luis Perdomo have potential, but the pitching staff is holding the Padres back for now.
The future is bright for the San Diego Padres. Will the future arrive in 2018?
San Diego Padres additions and subtractions
Key additions: Eric Hosmer, Kazuhisa Makita, Freddy Galvis, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Headley
Newcomer to watch: Eric Hosmer. A key piece to the Kansas City Royals lineup, Eric Hosmer will be asked to fill the same role with the San Diego Padres. It just would not be fair to expect more from him.
Last year, Hosmer put together another solid campaign, with a career best .318/.385/.489 batting line. He hit 25 homers to tie his career high, and chipped in six steal. Hosmer won his first Silver Slugger award, and his fourth Gold Glove, as he continued to be one of the biggest stars on the Royals.
Chances are, Hosmer will produce a similar season in San Diego. He will hit his fair share of homers and doubles, while playing Gold Glove defense at first. However, with his eight year, $144 million contract, he is being expected to produce at a superstar level. Hosmer is a good player, but to expect anything more than what he has already shown in his major league career would be a disservice.
Biggest losses: Jhoulys Chacin, Yangervis Solarte
Biggest loss: Jhoulys Chacin. He may not have been a star, or really more than a solid middle of the rotation arm, but Jhoulys Chacin was arguably the best pitcher in the Padres rotation last year.
He emerged as the surprising ace in San Diego, posting a respectable 13-10 record with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.270 WHiP, striking out 153 batters with 72 walks in his 180.1 innings of work. Chacin did a great job of keeping the ball in the yard, allowing only 19 homers. He did hit a league leading 14 batters, but that willingness to pitch inside led to a solid performance overall.
Chances are, Jhoulys Chacin was not going to be much of a part of the San Diego Padres future, especially with some of the upcoming arms. However, there is still some time before those arms come to the majors. Keeping a pitcher like Chacin could have helped the Padres as they move closer to respectability, allowing Clayton Richard to slot into the middle of the rotation.
What to expect from the San Diego Padres in 2018
While the San Diego Padres are taking steps towards respectability, they still have their eyes towards the future.
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Some of the pieces are in place already. Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers are going to be the Padres 1-2 punch for the foreseeable future. Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe could be an excellent duo into the next decade, with Margot showing plenty of potential as a leadoff hitter. Closer Brad Hand is under team control through at least 2020, with a team option for the following year. The lineup will also see reinforcements with prospects Fernando Tatis Jr and Luis Urias. The pieces are starting to be assembled.
However, there are still plenty of holes. The starting rotation has more than its share of question marks, although that should end in the coming years. As prospects like Cal Quantrill, Mackenzie Gore, and Michel Baez get closer to the majors, the rotation should begin to solidify.
For now, the 2018 campaign is about development and growth. While some of the pieces are in place, it is not yet the Padres time. They will be a better, and more competitive club in 2018; however, the rest of the division has gotten stronger as well. Those improvements may not reflect in the record, at least for this coming year.
Next: Hosmer, Myers complete each other
The San Diego Padres are improving. Just give them a bit more time. Prediction: Fifth place in the NL West.