Padres Editorial: My Padres 2015 Season Predictions

Sep 19, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a single against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Player Stats

These are my predictions for the projected starting eight for the Padres in 2015. Justin Upton leads the team with 23 HR and 83 RBI. Matt Kemp will have a good season, hovering around .280 with power numbers similar to Upton.

Derek Norris: .256, 8 HR, 51 RBI

Matt Kemp: .283, 22 HR, 80 RBI

Wil Myers: .268 15 HR, 69 RBI

Justin Upton: .269, 23 HR, 83 RBI

Jedd Gyorko: .252, 16 HR, 65 RBI

Yonder Alonso: .268, 13 HR, 67 RBI

Alexi Amarista: .245, 6 HR, 40 RBI

Will Middlebrooks: .251, 11 HR, 52 RBI

Also, here are my picks for the starting rotation. Cashner will put up numbers worthy of an All-Star appearance and Cy Young Award talk. Tyson Ross will build off his strong 2014. Odrisamer Despaigne and Robbie Erlin will both establish themselves as solid options for the back of the rotation, when healthy. It would be foolish to predict the Padres will go without injuries. I foresee some time on the DL for a few rotation and fringe rotation players (see Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson).

Andrew Cashner: 15-8, 3.11 ERA 189 K

Tyson Ross: 13-10, 3.34 ERA, 185 K

Ian Kennedy: 12-11, 3.65 ERA, 179 K

Odrisamer Despaigne: 9-8, 3.77 ERA, 136 K

Robbie Erlin: 8-9, 4.23 ERA, 139 K