Breaking Down the San Diego Padres Outfield Position Battles
By Ben Fadden
With position players reporting to their respective Spring Training facilities, the San Diego Padres have position battles at every outfield position.
The San Diego Padres have had multiple rookies in their outfield ever since they traded Matt Kemp to the Braves and Justin Upton signed with the Tigers. Then, the outfield became even younger when Wil Myers moved from center field to first base in 2016.
On Opening Day last year, Andy Green went with five outfielders on their 25-man roster. They were Jose Pirela, Matt Szczur, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot, and Wil Myers.
Jose Pirela is on the roster bubble for Opening Day on March 28, and Matt Szczur is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, so that created more room for young outfielders who will be solid options for Andy Green.
Pirela hit .249 with 32 RBI’s with San Diego in 2018, playing 31 games in left field and five in right field.
As you all have heard, the Padres have been interested in an outfielder named Bryce Harper to man right field at Petco Park. Jon Heyman reported on Sunday night that the Padres are believed to have offered a contract to Harper more than 8 years, $250 million.
Edward Olivares is currently on the 40-man roster, but he will likely begin the season in Double-A Amarillo. He was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade involving utility infielder Yangervis Solarte.
Realistically, the Padres have six outfielders that will be competing for a job this spring in Peoria, including position battles in center field and in right field (possibly left field as well).
We start in left field where there is really only one realistic starter at the position because the second option will be battling for the right field spot.