San Diego Padres’ Monthly Primer For August

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres Really Can Hit!

As previously mentioned, the Padres’ putrid offense has shown signs of life since returning from the All-Star Break. Led by the return of infielder Jedd Gyorko from plantar faciitis, Double-D has gone 8-for-19, with a pair of home runs, 4 runs scored, and 7 runs driven in. Some were calling foul after his slow start to the season, and then being given a contract extension. Gyorko should continue to bounce back from a forgettable first half.

Fresh off of a 5-for-5 night to start his month of August, Tommy Medica is pushing to remain a part of the Padres for the present and the immediate future, going 13-for-26, with 8 driven in to go along with a pair of long balls. The outfielder/first baseman is going to force his way into an everyday lineup role if he continues to swing the bat as well as he has throughout August. With the trade of Chris Denorfia to the Seattle Mariners, look for Medica to see everyday at-bats.

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Will He Stay Or Will He Go?

While the rest of the Padres’ lineup begins to show signs of life after a season-long slumber, not everything is peachy for one of the bigger bats that San Diego came into the season hoping to lean on. Outfielder Carlos Quentin continues to battle leg issues, as he was recently placed on the 15-day disabled list with left knee pain. The former star slugger is hitting only .177 in 130 at-bats, and only has four home runs. Watching him play left field is like watching someone on roller skates for the first time…straight painful!

Quentin is scheduled to get a second opinion on his knee early next week, and if the prognosis is bad, the Padres could shut him down for the remainder of the season since the team is too far out of contention to feel the need to bring him back at less than 100%. Ideally, the Padres were most likely hoping that he would recover before the end of the month, so they could place him on waivers, and hope than an American League club, looking for some right-handed power out of the designated hitter’s slot in their lineup, would take a chance on him.

If the Padres weren’t on the hook for remaining years and money, management would most likely designate Quentin for assignment, and watch him walk (or limp) away. The Quentin deal was another of Josh Byrnes’ mistakes.

Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

A New Front Office Boss?

Padres’ fans have been waiting anxiously for more than a month to find out who their next general manager is going to be. After firing Josh Bynes, a three-headed team led by former Expos’ and Mets’ GM Omar Minaya and A.J. Finch made most of the personnel decisions while ownership and executive staff, including Mike Dee and Ron Fowler interviewed multiple candidates and brought back several for a second round or final set of interviews. As of this writing, there is still no new general manager in San Diego, but A.J. Preller of the Texas Rangers is believed to be the guy for the job.

Preller was college friends with current Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels, and it was Daniels, who hired Preller, and gave him the opportunity to oversee the Rangers’ international scouting department, before promoting him to Vice President of Baseball Operations. Known as somewhat of an eccentric, Padres’ management has been highly impressed during both interviews with Preller. For a club that doesn’t have a huge payroll, knowledge of the international market could make Preller an intriguing hire for a team looking for a new direction.

Other candidates still being considered for the vacancy in San Diego includes: Billy Eppler, Assistant GM for the New York Yankees, Kim Ng, former Assistant GM for the both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Yankees. If hired, Ng would become the first female GM in all of the four major professional sports. She currently works for Commissioner Bud Selig in the MLB offices as a Vice President. Finally, Mike Hazen, who has had a busy last few days, helping Red Sox’ GM Ben Cherington sell off several of his high-end pieces as the defending champs look to 2015 for another run at at title.

Young Friars On The Horizon

Since the Padres were in somewhat sell-mode as the non-waiver trading deadline came and went at the end of July, the team could be looking to move several high-priced players off the roster via the waiver deadline system. Injured players such as Carlos Quentin, if healthy, are ideal candidates, as are players the team simply wants to part ways with.

If and when multiple players leave San Diego over the next few weeks to close out August, it could provide the organization to bring up several talented young players, and see what they have in terms of readiness and skills heading into spring training, 2015. One of those players might be Mallex Smith. The 5’9″, 170 lb. speedy outfielder, has drawn comparisons to current Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder, and NL Rookie of the Year candidate, Billy Hamilton. In less than two full seasons of professional baseball, Smith already has 155 stolen bases. The kid can hit two, having recorded .300 or better twice, and possessing extra-base gap power. His game is a perfect fit for the spacious confines of Petco Park. Cameron Maybin may have worn out his welcome with his current drug suspension, and the 21-year-old Smith, has more upside at this point in the game.

Other prospects to look for as August winds down and the final month of the season comes along, includes catcher Austin Hedges, infielders Jonathan Galvez and Taylor Lindsey among others. The Padres’ system is chalk full of young talent, who are chomping at the bit to be the next great generation of Padres’ players, after having witnessed one of the worst teams play all season long.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rivalry Home Series

In the month of August, the Padres only have four home series. The first is one they are currently involved in, and opened on a super note, by pounding the visiting Atlanta Braves. After more than a week on the road, with trips that take the Friars to Minnesota for some interleague action against the Twins, and a series in the Steel City with the Pirates, the Padres return home to host the injury-plagued Colorado Rockies.

A three-city road trip follows the brief home stint, as the Padres will go to St. Louis for four games with the Cardinals, then back out west for three with Adrian Gonzalez and the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed by thee more in Arizona with the Diamondbacks for basement supremacy.

Finally, after living out of a suitcase for most of the month, the Friars return home for two straight home series to close out August, as the Milwaukee Brewers come to town, a day off, and then a weekend match-up once again with Gonzalez and the Boys In Blue.

That sums up August for the San Diego Padres. Lots going on, and lots more that COULD be going on. This has been your monthly primer for the month of August, for the San Diego Padres!