Padres Weekly Preview: Sizzling August Ahead

The Padres are hitting well, a big part of it being Tommy Medica’s Awakening. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Player to Watch

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Tommy Medica is the one to watch for the Padres this week. It is a short week: an off day, followed by a two game series, followed by an off day before closing out with three in Pittsburgh. Which makes it even more important to do well! Momentum can be a tricky thing in baseball, so hopefully the funky schedule doesn’t screw out the groove he is in. Both starters in Minnesota are right handers as well, so it will be interesting to see where Medica even fits into the starting lineup with all of the left handed hitters available to Buddy Black.

For much of the season Medica floundered at the plate, with a game here or there where he showed his true potential like his near-cycle in Arizona. If he can end the season hitting .285 with 15 HR it would rank a high success, and that much closer to making sure they find room for him in the outfield or even at first base next season. New GM take note.

The first part though is making sure he hits those numbers; not dropping down and ending at .250 with 9 HR’s. That wouldn’t impress anyone and wouldn’t help him in 2015 and beyond.