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

By Daryll Dorman |
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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?

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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?

Trying to hold on to his starting job at first base is Yonder Alonso.

Yonder Alonso

The last remaining piece of the Padres-Reds Mat Latos trade, Alonso was last seen with an injured wrist ending his 2014 season last August. When he first came over to the Padres he made fans who were devastated about the Adrian Gonzalez trade at least feel a bit better. No, he may not be the home run hitter that Adrian was, but he was a solid defender who slashed doubles into the gaps of Petco Park like nobody’s business. Remember, it was just 2012 that he hit 39 doubles and finished 6th place in the Rookie of the Year vote. Even in 2013 he hit .281, limited to 97 games, though his extra-base hits dropped significantly. It was really just last year that his games played slipped down to 84 (felt like less), his extra-base continued to plummet, and his OBP sunk under .300.

Consider this.

So in 2013 his Extra-Base hit ratio dropped to just 18% of his total base hits. We knew Alonso wouldn’t bring in the homers like Adrian Gonzalez, but we could live with doubles. In 2014 he did get his ratio back up to 42%, but with 30 fewer hits, 15 fewer walks, and a total BA drop of 41 points. Do you see the concern here?

Of course, he was hurt and being left-handed does give since the Padres lineup could have too many right-handed hitters already. If he can have a healthy spring training and be productive, he is all but guaranteed at least a platoon spot at first base for the Padres. Through last Sunday’s game, he was hitting three for nine with three K’s in three games played. Two of his hits were of course, doubles.

Is this the year Medica seizes the first base job? Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Medica

Some players just really enjoy spring training, don’t they? I remember a few years ago, Michael Morse had a torrid spring training for the Nationals, but didn’t really live up to that potential until last year with the Giants. Tommy Medica last year, had a great spring training and made his way onto the Opening Day roster. He even got some playing time after Alonso’s injuries, but failed to really make the job his own. Can he change that this year, with a full year of major league experience under his belt?

He did have times last year where it looked like he was turning a corner. He did almost hit for the cycle once against Arizona. He had several hot streaks. He wore his camo jersey without an undershirt. Manning up, right? So here we are again in spring training, and through five games he is six for nine with two RBIs, a stolen base, and no strikeouts. His contract is club friendly, unlike Mr. Quentin (who we will get to shortly), if a platoon is needed. He needs to show that his hot springs can continue into the regular season too. Stay tuned.

Solarte and Middlebrooks will be battling at first or third this spring.

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Yangervis Solarte / Wil Middlebrooks

Yangervis Solarte was the player received in exchange for former Padres franchise player, Chase Headley. Former FriarsOnBase editor Billy Brost, wrote that Solarte more than earned his keep in his time with the Padres last season, but he could he be worth even more? With Alexi Amarista likely moving into the starting shortstop position, the odds were that Solarte would slide into the super-utility role that Amarista was filling the last several seasons. Solarte is more likely to lock down third base than any other regular position, and so far this spring he is four for 10 in his first four games.

Wil Middlebrooks is definitely not a sure thing. He came up highly touted in 2012 and showed power, hitting 15 homers with 54 RBI in 75 games. He stumbled in 2013 hitting only .227 and playing in under 100 games. In 2014, it got worse, much worse. Multiple stints on the disabled list led to a dismal .191 BA with just two home runs. Boston gave up on him, acquiring Pablo Sandoval in free agency. Staying healthy is of course key to his importance to the Padres this season; and Bud Black is playing it safe with him thus far this spring. He has played in only two games but has gone three for six in them.

Is there a spot on the roster for Carlos Quentin? Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Quentin

The most desperate player in this first base battle is of course, Carlos Quentin. Since coming to San Diego he has been an absolute bust, and while much has been written about his willingness to try out a new position at first, it just seems like he is there to get traded. His contract is dead weight. I suppose it would be logical if Alonso doesn’t show he can hit left-handed pitching and no one seizes the job, then Quentin could stick around as the extra first baseman.

He is hitting two for seven in his first three games this spring, with of course include a hit by pitch. Does A.J. Preller have another trick in his bag to get something back in exchange for Q? Will anyone take some of his salary or will the Padres be forced to eat it entirely? If ownership is okay with spending money, would they consider just cutting bait with the remainder of his contract like the Braves did with Dan Uggla last year? Or will Quentin have one of those “spring strains” that sidelines him to the DL until the Padres can figure out their next move?

Do you have a vote for who the starter should be? Comment below and we will see how this plays out!

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