Is Kelly Ready to Take Next Step in 2012? Plus, Crew of “Young Guns” Emerging in San Antonio

So the Padres are about to enter another rebuilding season.  What else is new?  I’ve seen so many over the course of my 24 years on this planet that they’ve become almost second-nature to me as a fan.  Anyways, according to an article the Padres website there is room for some hope heading into 2012 and for 2013 and 2014 as well, because the Padres have some “Young Guns” at the Double-A level which have the ability to come and bolster an already young and talented Padres pitching staff.

Personally, I’m stoked to see what Kelly has got.  All I’ve been hearing about since he was part of the package from the Gonzalez trade is how great of a prospect he is.  I earnestly hope that if he performs well enough in San Antonio in 2012 (and in Tucson where I live) that he is able to get some reps at the big league level if the Friars are out of contention by mid-summer.  At 22 Kelly is still young and throws some significant heat.  In addition, Kelly hasn’t been a full-time pitcher for very long after making the switch from SS in the Red Sox organization, and he still has some room to grow and learn the ins and outs of being a successful Pitcher.

Kelly had some competition last year in Double-A San Antonio though in terms of being the best Pitcher on the Missions’ staff.  The Padres received two guys in the Mike Adams deal from Texas in the form of Ptchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland who had stellar stints in San Antonio and helped lead the Missions to the Texas League title in 2011.  The article alludes to their pitching prowess as well, and how them and Simon Castro really dominated down the stretch for the Missions last season.  Moreover, a list is included of the Padres’ Top 10 prospects after the 2011 season finished with some small blurbs about other Padres’ Minor Leaguers’ accomplishments in 2011.

Who knows?  Maybe Kelly, Erlin, Wieland, and Castro can help the Padres reap benefits this year or some time down the road.  We will just have to wait.  All I know is that I will be paying close attention to these four guys since I live in Tucson, and hopefully all of them will be passing through town on their way to the big club this season.

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