Padres News: Who’s At First? The Latest…

Lots of options at 1b for the Padres at first. Who wins? Mandatory Credit: Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports

2015 San Diego Padres Starting First Baseman Is…

In what will be an ongoing conversation in both spring training and the regular season for the San Diego Padres, there is no clear cut favorite to start at first base in 2015. The easy answer would simply be that Yonder Alonso has a blazing spring, shows that his injuries are behind him, and solves both the first base and the “right-handed heavy” lineup issues for the Padres. That would be way too easy though, right?

More from Padres News

• Padres barely missed out on high-end veteran starting pitcher
• This veteran DH target seems ideal for contending Padres roster
• Padres got steal with Xander Bogaerts after Carlos Correa’s mega-deal
• Failed Padres top prospect makes stunning return with minor league deal
• Padres fail to land ideal Xander Bogaerts teammate at catcher

The Padres essentially have several interesting options as written by Jeff Sanders of the Union Tribune to think about besides Alonso. You have the second year man Tommy Medica, who made the opening day roster last year after a strong spring training but failed to really get a full grasp on the job. Brett Wallace, the former stud Houston Astros prospect, is another interesting possibility who is getting a good look in spring training, but who I see as a long-shot to start. Will Middlebrooks is in the conversation, though more likely to start third base than first base, unless Yangervis Solarte has himself a strong enough spring to hold down third base duties when the season begins. Speaking of Solarte, he even got a start at first on Saturday, so don’t eliminate him from the mix either. Sanders mentions Alex Dickerson, who is a natural outfielder trying to get some time in at first, but I don’t see as a top candidate either. If you mention Dickerson you have to mention Jake Goebbert, and speaking of converted outfielders, we would be wrong not to include our lumbering Carlos Quentin, who could be the highest paid back-up player this side of Alex Rodriguez.

So, several games into Spring Training, how is everyone looking among my top five of Alonso, Medica, Middlebrooks, Solarte and Quentin looking?