San Diego Padres

Health Check

“Some fans are optimistically pushing for the team to possibly compete for a wildcard appearance should a few of their NL West counterparts falter. Some predict another flat season with enough wins to keep the team out of prime draft pick range. Some are asking for another rendition of Team Tank.

The Padres should look to be somewhat competitive in the NL West but will more than likely sit close to or near the cellar for another year, thanks to a patchwork rotation and some question marks along the batting order. What is obvious to fans, however, is that this is all according to plan: The aforementioned eruption is coming soon.

The hot talent lava should start to erupt out of the proverbial volcano in 2019.

After a promising 2018 campaign with an exciting September round of call-ups, the 2019 roster should have some fresh faces. Luis Urias will have earned a spot at 2nd base and Fernando Tatis, Jr. will be in line to join the team in April. The pitching staff could sport names such as Joey Lucchessi, Cal Quantrill, Eric Laurer, and Matt Strahm. Anderson Espinoza will battle for the top prospect spot in the Padres system alongside Mackenzie Gore. The Padres will enjoy more accolades as a top farm system in MLB, and the team will begin to take steps forward towards contention.”

—Gaslamp Ball

Key Player

Once again, the Padres are looking toward another rebuilding year in 2018. But that's not to say there won't be good reason for people to pay attention to the team. There are actually some really exciting players to watch out for going into the regular season, but arguably the most intriguing one will be Manuel Margot. Coming off his first full Major League season, the 23-year-old center fielder is projected to follow up a successful rookie campaign with an even better sophomore season.

Margot came in 6th in Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, excelling both offensively and defensively despite a month-long DL stint that limited him to 126 games. After suffering a calf injury and missing almost all of June, he came back with a vengeance, posting an .851 OPS in July. He showcased his power and speed during his rookie year, finishing the season with 13 home runs (he only hit 29 homers in seven Minor League seasons) and 17 stolen bases. But perhaps his most effective tool on display in 2017 was his defense. He played every inning in center, only committing three errors all year and ranking 5th in UZR amongst all center-fielders with at least 1,000 innings.

When people talk about the Padres' bright future, Margot is at the center of it. Last year wasn't just rookie luck; the improvements he showed toward the end of the season, especially after an injury setback, indicate growth and increased potential. Expect him to thrive and improve even more in 2018 and be a key component of the franchise for years to come.

—Jodes Paranal, Gaslamp Ball

Best Case

Chase Headley is back! Eric Hosmer was signed to a lengthy deal, and he’s the first baseman of the present and future! Since this is where we’re giving you the the best case, it’s also where we gloss over how poorly Wil Myers could play the outfield now that he’s been bumped off of first base! Seriously, though, adding Hosmer is going to be good in the long run, and getting Headley back makes sense when there’s money to spend and a whole to fill. The Padres just need to avoid a repeat of 2017, when their young players in the bigs didn’t make the gains the organization hoped they would, and this should be a good first step toward the next competitive Padres team.

Worst Case

Just look at the Padres rotation and their depth options there for a second and realize that this season could go to some dark places. At least they’ll be familiar dark places.