Breaking Down the San Diego Padres Outfield Position Battles

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PEORIA,AZ – FEBRUARY 18: Manuel Margot #7 talks with Franchy Cordero #71 of the San Diego Padres during a spring training workout at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 18, 2017 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Andy Hayt/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) /

Center Field

1. Manuel Margot

Wil Myers moved to first base in 2016 because the Padres knew they had Manuel Margot coming up through the minor leagues.

San Diego acquired Margot and future starting pitcher Logan Allen in a trade that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox in 2015.

He debuted in the majors a year later in September along with Carlos Asuaje and Hunter Renfroe after they won the Triple-A championship with the El Paso Chihuahuas.

In first full season in 2017, Margot finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting, hitting .263 with nearly 40 RBI’s and 17 stolen bases.

Last season, he struggled the whole season. In 15 more games, Margot hit a modest .245 with five less home runs and six less stolen bases.

If Margot wants to keep his starting job in center, he is going to have to produce at the plate because the next center fielder competing for the job can hit very well.

2. Franchy Cordero

Franchy Cordero was on track to have a great season in 2018 because he was hitting well in April and early May while Manuel Margot could not buy a hit, but it all went downhill with an injury in May.

He went on a rehab assignment in El Paso with the Triple-A club, but he was pulled from a game on June 18 after feeling pain in his elbow during a swing. An MRI revealed a bone spur, so Cordero opted for season-ending surgery instead of resting for a month and attempting to come back at the end of the season.

Cordero is projected to have an OPS of .736 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI’s in 287 plate appearances, meaning Margot will get most of the at-bats in center field.

3. Travis Jankowski

Travis Jankowski is not going to start on Opening Day unless Margot gets hurt and Andy Green decides that he wants Franchy Cordero to get some more at bats down in Triple-A.

He will make the Opening Day roster because Andy Green loves his ability to steal bases and play great defense in the later innings of ball games in place of guys that may not be the best at defense like Franmil Reyes and Hunter Renfroe.

Travis Jankowski stole 24 bases last season, and Green has taken notice saying, “He’s a winning baseball player.”

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