Padres News: Jake Goebbert Looking to Make Opening Day Roster

Lost in all the shuffle of the outfielders the San Diego Padres did acquire in the last six months is the names of those that will have a tough time cracking the Padres Opening Day roster of 2015.

Jake Goebbert is one of those players.

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When Josh Johnson signed back on with the Padres after his first official season despite not playing a single inning – Goebbert was the corresponding roster move that got designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was then out-righted to Triple-A El Paso as reported by Joey Kaufman of the Northwest Herald.

Last year he played 48 games in El Paso after being traded from the Oakland Athletics for Kyle Blanks and played in 51 games with the big club, hitting only .218 with 1 home run. In total in the minors last year he hit 14 homers with 60 RBI following up a 2013 campaign where he hit 22 homers between AA and AAA in the Oakland organization.

Of course the big league club has more outfielders and first basemen than they currently know what to do with between immobile Carlos Quentin, Cameron Maybin and Tommy Medica. It is difficult for a player like Goebbert who was not drafted by the Padres and in fact has been in professional baseball since 2009 and on his third club.

Despite his relative veteran status in seasons, he is still just 27 years old and still has time left to make an impact. He is close to being labeled a 4A player, as he first appeared in AAA in 2011 but has failed to stay there and really crack a major league roster for a period of time.

His first experience at the major league level was with the Padres last year, and like several Padres on the 2014 squad failed to make the most of his opportunity. One aspect of his game in his favor is that he is a left-handed hitter and his ability to play multiple positions. He could also be a good fit for an American League squad looking for a designated hitter, though we hope any team looking for a DH looks at Mr. Quentin first.

It looks like Goebbert’s best option will be to continue to gain experience and at-bats at AAA and hope that his moment will come again to grace Petco Park and the chance to prove himself as a major leaguer. Whether that will be with the Padres or if it will be with a fourth organization before 28 years old is a question we will just have to wait and see.

Next: Padres News: Gyorko Working On Swing

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