San Diego Padres 2018 Season Preview

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.