Padres’ Minor League Roundup For August 19

May 2, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Cashner has been working through his second lengthy stint on the disabled list for right shoulder soreness. Cashner although lethal when on the mound and fully healthy, his health remains to be something he has struggled with this season. He throws some real heat and hits 100 mph on the radar gun with regularity. However, with his injury-riddled 2014 season, should he adjust his approach? Should he perhaps just throw in the low 90s to help protect his shoulder and elbow?

I am not entirely sure where I stand on this issue, because his high-velocity play a big part in the force he is on the mound. So I proposed that if he cannot be successful with a slower fastball, than the Padres should consider converting him back to the bullpen. That way he could throw as hard as he needed and not need to do it at 100 pitches per outing. He would be a force to reckon with and could join Aroldis Chapman as the hardest throwing closers in the game. While he may be opposed to this for two reasons: 1. His heart may be that he loves being a starting pitcher and 2. Starting pitchers make MUCH more money than relief pitchers do. But, I think for the longevity of his career, some adjustment need to be made. On that note, let’s take look down on the Friars’ Farm.

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas (62-69)

Last night the El Paso Chihuahuas defeated the Memphis Redbirds 6-2 to prevent being the victims of a 4-game series sweep. Despite scoring 10 runs in the previous 3 games, it was El Paso’s pitching staff that finally showed up. Chihuahua starter Juan Pablo Oramas pitch 5 strong innings allowing just 1 unearned run on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 2. Oramas has had a rough season at the Triple-A level; he owns a 5.15 ERA on the season with a high 1.58 WHIP while opponents are batting an inflated .292 average. With such a high opponents batting average, Oramas is making is hard to be successful. He was demoted to Double-A for a few starts to help him regain his form. In his four starts for San Antonio Oramas went 3-0 with 1 1.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP with opponents’ batting .255 during that span. He entered the season as a promising prospect to be a backend starter, but has done nothing to help his cause to crack the roster when the rosters expand in September. I feel that Oramas’ ceiling is either a 5^th starter or long reliever/spot starter.

Future Friar of the Game

Tyler Greene: 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Taylor Lindsey: 2 Fielding Errors

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Double-A: San Antonio Missions (63-65)

The San Antonio Missions lost the series opener last night against the Frisco RoughRiders 5-4. Missions’ starter Josh Geer earned a quality start pitching well when he needed to. He allowed a total of 14 base runners over the 6 innings, but only allowed 2 of them to score. He pitched around trouble time and time again to give his team the chance to win. Some nights pitchers don’t have their best stuff, but Geer hung in there and gave his team a chance to win.

Top prospect Austin Hedges went 1-for-4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored. His bat has been slow to develop as his defense is near Major League ready if it is not already. Hedges has a solid season or more before he will get the full reigns of the Major League pitching staff and is christened as the catcher of the Padres future. While I am holding out hope that his bats improves, I would be prefect fine with him being his generations Jason Veritek. A pitcher with strong defense, high baseball IQ, and ability to handle a Major League pitching staff is a valuable asset for a team.

Future Friar of the Game

Cory Spangenberg: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Diego Goris: 0-for-4, 3 K

Mandatory Credit: Brad Hand.

Single-A: Lake Elsinore Storm (70-58)

The Lake Elsinore Storm won their third straight game last night as they shutout the Stockton Ports 3-0. The Storm’s starter Bryan Rodriguez earned a quality start pitching 6 shutout innings allowing 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. Rodriguez improves his schedule 7-8 on the season and looks to finish his season out strong. Storm closer earned his 12^th save on the season pitching the last out of the game.

Gabriel Quintana had a great night at the plate; he went 2-for-3 with a double while scoring 2 runs. Quintana has had a great week so far. Since Sunday he is 8-for-13 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, and 4 runs scored. Quintana is making his presence known in the California League after Milb.com names him an organizational All-Star for the Padres in 2013. Storm 1B Duanel Jones also had a great night at the plate going 2-for-3 with a 2-run home run in the 4^th inning. Jones owns a .297/.297/.360 triple slash line on the season with 8 HR, 16 2B, and 1 triple on the season including 51 RBI and 4 stolen bases.

Future Friar of the Game

Duanel Jones: 2-for-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R

Future Friar of the Game

Jose Rondon: 0-for-4, 2 K