We finally have a good farm system, period. Sure it doesn't always translate into MLB production but I think we have a legit shot to make a good push in the next few years. Outside of Rizzo (don't we all have Rizzomania?) I'm excited for Liriano, Hedges, and Spangenberg. Heard Hedges actually has good pop in the bat and I'm hopeful Spangenberg can be the Padres 2b by 2013, we need a guy to hit for average. Storm games are going to be worth the drive next year. Also surprised Jaff Decker didn't make the list, he seems to serious power and the capability to string together monster hitting streaks.

On a side note, Latos made MLB Network's top 25 under 25. Still think Mat will get a Cy Young under his belt before it's all said and done.

Top Prospects:

1. Anthony Rizzo

2. Rymer Liriano

3. Casey Kelly

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Last night while all of you were watching Pineda mow down the Padres, I decided to take the hour and half drive (took over 2 hrs with traffic) from Woodland Hills to Lake Elsinore to watch Gyorko, Rincon and the Storm take on the Lancaster Jethawks. Let me start off by saying that this is only my second minor league game (first one was last year, Storm vs Jethawks in Lancaster).

When we got there I was excited and ready to start the night. Right away I was thrown a curveball when I was asked to throw out my sunflower seeds before entering. I enjoy my sunflower seeds and this was a huge blow, I usually go through at least a bag a game. They didn't sell any inside either, so I was out of luck. Once we got in the stadium it was super noisy and the PA system seemed like it was too loud, I think it was also little league night so there were millions of kids running around banging these giveaway fan things. I can get over that stuff but it was very overwhelming when we got there.

Next we needed to grab some grub. The Lancaster stadium had a lot of variety with really cheap beer and food. At that game I think we got a BBQ sandwich and some chilli. At LE, they had a "grilled" chicken sandwich which was a microwaved chicken patty on bread and a frozen burrito, it was all pretty pricey and the $5 beers were small, was definitely not impressed with the food, I had a couple of crappy hot dogs. 

Once we got to our seats we figured out why we had driven an hour and half, 1st row, right behind the plate for $10 bucks a pop. The game was good and the Storm pulled out the W. Fuentes had a couple of hits, Gyorko hit the ball pretty hard but failed to record a hit, Rincon had a nice hit up the middle. Rincon also came up with the bases loaded and reached on an error on the third baseman, go figure. Nothing all too exciting, was hoping Gyorko would put up some of those monster numbers that earned him #1 on BA's hot sheet but oh well.

Some other random stuff, I was wearing my GLB shirt and the guy behind me complimented me on my shirt. He told me he doesn't come to GLB but sees all the stuff on twitter. I'm not on twitter so I don't know what info we provide but sounds like a lot. Also, to go back to the loud PA thing, at one point they kept playing music from the middle of the inning into the first batter from the Jethawks. The ump was ticked and kept giving a stink eye back the the press box. One more thing, I guess I've pronouncing Gyorko's name wrong, the announcer was pronouncing it something like Jyorko, the G was soft like a giraffe.

All in all it was a good time. Not going to lie, enjoyed the game at Lancaster more since it seemed like it was more about the baseball than the atmosphere but had a good time. I'm thinking for the next game, I'll maybe try Rancho Cucomanga (or whoever you spell it). Below are some pictures.

Entrance

Right before game time

Charlie Sheen's retired number

Gyorko

One more of Gyorko so Jordan_Ming can check out the pants tightness

Edinson Rincon

With spring right around the corner, I decided that this year would be my first ever spring training trip. I'm planning on going Mar 19th through the 21st since there are two home games and the road game is really a home game too (Mariners).

So I guess I'm just looking for a general feel of ST. What's there to do before the games? Can you watch practice? Does it make sense to go to another teams facility? Also, I have questions about where to stay and stuff like that? What hotels are good/bad? I would really appreciate and advice/help. Are any of you guys going?

Lastly, just saw on padres.com that Fanfest is Feb 12, should be a good time, didn't get to go last year because I was in Vegas, heard they always sell a bunch of game used stuff, is it cheap? Would love to get some random Padres stuff.

While most of you were either at Petco or watching the Padres beat the Mariners from home last night, I decided to make the hour drive from the San Fernando Valley to Lancaster to watch my first minor league baseball game. The game had the feel of a glorified high school game with a very small, enthusiastic crowd. Me and my girlfriend were excited for the food and the chili and pulled pork sandwich didn't disappoint. The $6 24oz Heineken was nice too. We got to our seats and were happy to see that $12 a seat gets you second row right behind the plate.

I was looking forward to seeing Jaff Decker, Drew Cumberland, and Blanks along with Jay Austin on the Jethawks whom I've heard good things about. Unfortunately, Jaff didn't play. Drew Cumberland had a couple of solid hits and Blanks went 1-2 with two BBs and a K. I was pretty disappointed with Blanks. This is high A ball and the California League is known for being a hitters paradise. Blanks needs to get his crap together and start pulling. Some guy I've never heard of hit a HR and the Storm won pretty easily. The Jethawk pitcher was tall and lanky and twice bounced the ball to first on a come-backer for an out; I'm still confused, not sure of it was on purpose but I'm thinking it's a nervous thing or something. One thing that stood out was the physique of all the Storm players (minus Blanks). They were all short and big, not your usual big league body, they all looked like catchers. The Jethawks had some athletic looking players that looked like they could be leadoff guys.

All in all it was a fun time but not one I would most likely repeat in the near future, maybe if/when Tate plays for the Storm. I took a few pictures and I'll a add some from the Padres-Dodgers game from LA earlier in the year. I'm looking forward to coming back to SD next weekend, I'll be at both the Saturday and Sunday game.

View of the stadium in Lancaster

Blanks in the on deck circle

Blanks batting

Jaff Decker coaching 1st base

Pic of me and the gf

Adrian in LA

Venable after a leadoff triple

I'm looking to pick up a Mat Latos jersey and was wondering if the Padre store at Petco had a replica Latos sand jersey? It looks like the Padre store online and majestic only have the white home replicas available for Latos and the only way to get a sand Latos jersey would be the real deal with a $250 price tag, not looking to spend that. I'll be down to SD and Petco in May so I'd wait if they had them. If not, I'll just go with the home whites.

Any help would be great, thanks.

Lakers Fan Jam is this weekend and I was wondering if anyone was going? It looks pretty fun, pretty much a fan fest that is 100% Lakers. There's going to autographs and appearances by players and legends as well as other fun games. Odom and Artest are going to try and break the world record for most free throws in a minute on Saturday night, should be interesting.

I'll be there on Saturday.

Up until last September, Wade LeBlanc spent most of his time in the big leagues getting hammered by the Dodgers and whoever else he pitched against. Then the tide turned. He threw six innings and gave up no runs against the Dodgers in early September, had a decent September, then pitched the best game of his career on October 3rd against the Giants, seven innings, two hits, no runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts.

Do you guys think LeBlanc can find himself as a regular in the rotation next year or do you think the end of last year was a fluke? Obviously our rotation is thin and we could use a serviceable lefty arm. Also, what do you guys think of Cesar Ramos?

Lets not kid ourselves. There will never be another Chick Hearn, NEVER. He is the best there ever was and the best that there ever will be. He was a superstar and helped the Lakers become who they are today.

With that being said though, Joel Meyers is getting a lot better. He was really awkward in the beginning, probably due to nerves and trying too hard to fit in. So far this pre-season Stu and Joel are showing a really nice chemistry. Joel has been cracking jokes all game long like trying to get Stu to name the all Staples Center shoot around tournament team haha. Then him and Stu were making fun of the flimsy rims in Ontario and Joel even called the San Diego Sports Arena a state of the art facility haha. To me, Joel is finally opening up and showing a sense of humor which really helps the broadcast.

What do you guys think?

Just curious as to all your opinions on the Farmar vs Brown PG battle thus far this preseason.

Shannon has played well with some great highlights reel dunks. He got the start last night but failed to really do anything (I've only watched the first half).

Farmar, to me, has done a better job of running the point. He has layed off the 3. even though he's shooting 44% from behind the arc and he has penetrated and dished more than usual which I think is his key to success. I was also paying close attention to Farmar's D against Augustine and the pick and roll and he didn't do too bad.

Farmar is averaging 9 pts on 48.1% from the field, 3.8 assists, 1 steal, and 1.75 turnovers, and as mentioned before, 44.4% from 3.

Brown is averaging 6 points on 33% shooting from the field, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steal, 1.25 turnovers, and a awful 1.25% from 3.

I know its early and both have a lot of time to do a 180 but I still think Farmar is the clear cut PG. He is penetrating more and using his speed as an asset. He's averaging 2.4 assists per game for his career so 3.8 is a huge leap. If Farmar can keep it up and play some solid defense, I still think he may be able to be the Lakers PG of the future. I still see Brown as a energy guy that gets a little PT every game but doesn't play a monster role throughout the year.

Been reading for a while but this is my first post. Pretty disappointing season after the hot start but I think we have a lot to look forward to. Latos is struggling lately but looks good, Blanks has shown some great power, and Gwynn Jr. is a good surprise. I have been  impressed with Everth though.

What are your impressions of Everth? I like the flash in the field and the speed on the bases. I think he's a keeper and a great pick up from rule five draft but does anyone think he can be an all-star? I'm not quite sold yet but if he can keep up the good work in the field, hit for a decent percentage, get on base a lot, and create havoc on the base paths, I think he can do it in a couple of years.

It looks like every Laker position is locked down for years to come except for the PG position. Fish is still clutch but is declining and I think it's safe to say that Sun Yue wasn't the answer.

Farmar shows some pretty good signs but was super inconsistent last year, and the injury didn't help either. Shannon showed great athleticism during the playoffs last year but he just doesn't seem like a starting PG to me. 

I think the job is Farmar's to lose. I think Farmar needs to play to his strengths more. He needs to drive and dish or drive and finish more, not settle for deep threes. He also needs to not be such a liability on defense, he is always getting burned badly. If Jordan can get his assists up and hit the three at close to 40% for the year he should be a fairly cheap option for the Lakers.

Shannon is yet to really prove anything to me. He hit a few clutch threes but I want to see how Shannon deals with expectations. Last year he wasn't expected to contribute, let alone get in the games, this year he will have some pressure to play well. He also hasn't ever really played extended minutes, it's a lot easier to play well for five minutes then it is for twenty minutes. Don't get me wrong, I want Shannon to succeed, I just have my doubts right now. I also see Shannon playing more SG, not PG, especially if Sasha decides to suck next year. 

So my question is: Do you think the PG of the future is Farmar, Brown, or someone else like maybe a Kirk Hinrich?