Padres Spring Training Roster Set

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers and Catchers will report to Spring Training on February 13th. That’s exactly 21 days from now but, who’s counting? It’s not like I have a countdown clock on my desktop or anything (just kidding, I do). Yesterday afternoon the Padres released the list of non-roster invitees for Spring Training. These are the players who will practice alongside the players already on the 40-man roster in the hopes of being the guy who forces the team to remove one of the other guys from the 40-man roster. Here is the list of who will be in big league camp with my brief prediction of where they end up in 2014.

Pitchers

Joaquin Benoit (RHP) – Will undoubtedly be the set-up man for most of the season. Maybe the Closer by the end of the season?

Andrew Cashner (RHP) – Quite possibly the Opening Day starter but, definitely in the top of the rotation.

Robbie Erlin (LHP) – Made 9 pretty good starts in the Majors last season. Only 22 and will be in the El Paso rotation.

Jesse Hahn (RHP) – Recently acquired 24 year old pitcher. Topped out at Hi-A last season. Could start in AA?

Josh Johnson (RHP) – Hopefully stays healthy during the Spring. Should be in the rotation.

Casey Kelly (RHP) – Successful at every level prior to missing 2013 with Tommy John surgery. Should start at AAA.

Ian Kennedy (RHP) – My favorite fantasy pick-up this offseason. I’m expecting a great year in the middle of the rotation.

Cory Luebke (LHP) – Missed all of 2013 and may not be ready for the start of the season. Could start out in pen when healthy.

Juan Oramas (LHP) – Added to 40-man to avoid Rule 5 draft. Will probably start in AA with a midseason move to AAA likely.

Donn Roach (RHP) – Added to 40-man for the same reason as Oramas. Will most likely start in AA, as well.

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Tyson Ross (RHP) – Looking to expand upon his breakout season last year, will start in the rotation.

Keyvius Sampson (RHP) – Big league camp will open some eyes about his ability, will start out in El Paso.

Patrick Schuster (LHP) – Rule 5 pick was a reach. Now with Alex Torres on the roster, will probably be sent back to the D-Backs.

Burch Smith (RHP) – Will battle for fifth starter spot. If he doesn’t win, add him to the incredibly strong El Paso rotation.

Tim Stauffer (RHP) – Should remain in the Padres bullpen.

Huston Street (RHP) – Is the Closer. Better not struggle early on with Benoit waiting in the wings.

Eric Stults (LHP) – Started 33 games last year. Should be in the rotation yet again. Hopefully just as good as last year.

Dale Thayer (RHP) – Will be in the bullpen. Should be a middle reliever and occasional set-up man.

Alex Torres (LHP) – The left handed reliever that the Padres have been searching for. Will most definitely be in the pen.

Nick Vincent (RHP) – Would have probably helped set-up with Thayer if not for Benoit singing. Great arm out of the pen.

Joe Wieland (RHP) – Also missed all of 2013. Could battle for fifth starter job. Probably starts off in El Paso rotation.

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Non-Roster Pitchers

Blaine Boyer (RHP) – Pitched in AAA for Royals in 2013. Probably heading for the Chihuahuas’ bullpen.

Leonel Campos (RHP) – Put up awesome numbers in AA last season at age 25. Could make the jump to AAA.

Anthony Carter (RHP) – Pitched well at AAA Pawtucket last season. Should start out in El Paso.

Dennis O’Grady (RHP) – 24 year old Duke grad gets a look in camp. Will start in San Antonio.

Adys Portillo (RHP) – Dropped from 40-man and struggled in every Winter League stop. Could stay in AZ for extended ST.

Kevin Quackenbush (RHP) – Great numbers at every minor league start. Could earn a job in Padres pen for 2014.

Joe Ross (RHP) – Former 1st round pick is only 20. Will probably head to Hi-A for 2014.

Matt Wisler (RHP) – Will compete for fifth starter job and very well could take it.

Catchers

Yasmani Grandal (SH) – If he recovers from his injury in time, he plans to be there on Opening Day.

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Nick Hundley (RH) – Will be the back-up to Grandal despite what he thinks about Grandal.

Rene Rivera (RH) – Will be Hundley’s back-up if Grandal starts out on the DL. Otherwise, El Paso’s #1 Catcher.

Non-Roster Catchers

Cody Decker (RH) – Surprise Catcher invite (which we broke on Twitter a few weeks ago). Probably a back-up C/1B in AAA.

Austin Hedges (RH) – Top prospect is going to Peoria for experience. Will be the starter in San Antonio.

Infielders

Yonder Alonso (LH) – Starting 1B for the Padres.

Everth Cabrera (SH) – Shortstop is off the juice, healthy and ready to move into the lead-off slot in the lineup.

Jedd Gyorko (RH) – Starting 2B for Opening Day, probably batting third. Could move to 3B near the trade deadline.

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Chase Headley (SH) – Cornerstone at the Hot Corner. For how long, though?

Ryan Jackson (RH) – Played 2B, 3B and SS for 2013 Cardinals. Probably the reason Logan Forsythe is gone.

Tommy Medica (RH) – Horrendous Arizona Fall League probably insures he starts out in El Paso.

Non-Roster Infielders

Jonathan Galvez (RH) – Bud Black gets a another chance to see Galvez and help decide whether Headley is traded or not.

Alberto Gonzalez (RH) – Utility infielder could stick if Black carries two back-up infielders. Probably headed for AAA.

Cory Spangenberg (LH) – Continues to work on defense in Arizona, then heads to AA for 2014. Probably AAA at some point.

Jace Peterson (LH) – Bound for a great San Antonio team with Hedges, Spangenberg and others.

Xavier Nady (RH) – Spent 2013 in AAA. If he impresses, could stick as IF/OF. Probably headed for El Paso.

Outfielders

Alexi Amarista (LH) – Probably the IF/OF that sticks with the big club because he’s left-handed.

Yeison Asencio (RH) – Could impress and start off in AAA. Probably headed back for more time in AA, though.

Kyle Blanks (RH) – Part of a crowded outfield, still has options and could end up in the El Paso outfield.

Chris Denorfia (RH) – Could be traded during Spring depending on how others perform. Probably 5th OF.

Reymond Fuentes (LH) – Had a cup o’ coffee last season. Will start in AAA but, on call if there are more injuries.

Rymer Liriano (RH) – Missed all of last season because of injury. Could start out in AA where he left off in 2012.

Cameron Maybin (RH) – Starting CF. This is the season for him to stay healthy and show what he can do.

Carlos Quentin (RH) – Starter in the outfield. If he stays healthy, could put up outstanding numbers.

Seth Smith (LH) – Padres got their left-handed bat. Definitely in the outfield. Maybe not as a starter.

Will Venable (LH) – Should be part of a platoon with Denorfia, if Denorfia is still a Padre come April.

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Non-Roster Outfielders

Alex Dickerson (LH) – Management gets a chance to watch new acquisition in person. Will start in AAA either at 1B or RF.

Rico Noel (RH) – Fast CF could earn a spot in the El Paso OF with a good showing.

Dan Robertson (RH) – Probably headed for a third season in AAA. Could he earn a 4th OF job with another team during ST?

What do you think about our ideas on where people will end up? How many games do you think the team will win with the roster as we have projected?