2014 Organizational Depth Chart

Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports.

The starting shortstop for the Friars will be Everth Cabrera. He will be backed up by Ryan Jackson, who was acquired by the Padres in a trade with the Houston Astros. Jake Lemmerman, Jace Peterson, and Franchy Cordero need to continue developing before they are major league ready. For more Padres depth charts, please browse our Organizational Depth Chart Series at the end of the article.

#1 – Everth Cabrera (2013 – MLB: .283/.355/.381, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 37 SB, 381 at-bats; .987 Fld%, 4.64 RF/G – 95 games, 95 starts*)

Everth Cabrera was the only Padre to make the All-Star team in 2013, but he was limited to 95 games because of a PED suspension. Hopefully, Cabrera can put the suspension behind him, and prove he doesn’t need PEDs to produce. He is a good switch hitter, has a nice glove, and can steal bases with ease. The Padres will look forward to Cabrera’s return at shortstop, and as the leadoff hitter.

#2 – Ryan Jackson (2013 – AAA: .278/.352/.346, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB, 442 at-bats; .973 Fld%, 3.96 RF/G – 72 games)

Jackson was acquired by the Padres when they traded Jesus Guzman to the Houston Astros. He played for the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013. Jackson put up decent numbers in the Pacific Coast League, and the Padres will use him as a utility infielder in 2014. Dennis Lin of the U~T San Diego noted that Jackson played on the Miami Hurricanes with Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal, so he should feel comfortable with his new team.

#3 – Jake Lemmerman (2013 – AA: .231/.353/.367, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 11 SB, 308 at-bats; .934 Fld%, 3.86 RF/G – 85 games)

Lemmerman tore up Rookie ball in 2010, and had a good sophomore season in the minors in 2011. However, he has showed little improvement over the last two seasons. 2014 will be Lemmerman’s first year in the Padres organization, and maybe the move to Double-A San Antonio will reignite the fire he had when he first started pro baseball.

#4 – Jace Peterson (2013 – High A: .303/.382/.454, 7 HR, 66 RBI, 42 SB, 423 at-bats; .956 Fld%, 4.30 RF/G – 107 games)

Peterson had a great season at High-A Lake Elsinore. He should be promoted to Double-A San Antonio in 2014, and will compete with Lemmerman for the shortstop position. Bernie Pleskoff of MLB.com believes Peterson “brings energy and ability in a combination of assets that every manager covets.”

Peterson played baseball and football at McNeese State, and his athleticism will be an asset as he continues to develop into a major league talent.

#5 – Franchy Cordero (2013 – Rookie ball: .333/.381/.511, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 11 SB, 141 at-bats; .899 Fld%, 3.27 RF/G – 30 games)

Cordero has been in the Padres organization for two years. Prospect 361 believes he has “plus future power potential” when his 6’ 3” 175 lb frame fills out. Cordero is only 19-years-old, and he will use the next couple years to grow physically, and learn how to hit at the higher levels.

Organizational Depth Chart Series:

*All fielding statistics are based on the number of games played at shortstop.

Front page photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports.

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2014 Organizational Depth Chart – Shortstop

Schedule