What Do We Expect Out of Wil Myers in 2015

One of the most exciting acquisitions of last off season with the Padres bringing over Wil Myers from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three team trade. When he was on the field in 2015, it went pretty well. The problem was staying on the field. Now with 1B cleared out for Myers to take over there and hopefully reduce injury risk, what can we expect from the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year?

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Corey Brock reports on a recent conversation new manager Andy Green had with Myers over a corn dog lunch (he is after all still just 25 years old).

“Just a great time listening to him and how passionate he is about having a healthy year and how good he feels. Leadership is leadership, and when you get to learn in the minor leagues you labor in anonymity…and you learn to value relationships.”

Myers played 88 games his rookie year and it was still good enough to win the ROY award. In 2014 he was also limited to just 87 games, saw his batting average drop down to .222 with just 6 home runs. Last year despite only playing in 60 games and 225 AB’s, he did get 8 HR and hit .253. He was also able to bring up his OBP to .336 which isn’t great but up at least from 2014.

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Myers started the year as the center fielder despite not playing it before much at all professionally. As Yonder Alonso battled a long stint on the DL Myers played some first base and fell in love with the position. Now with Jon Jay becoming the left-handed hitter and a true centerfielder, the disappointing Alonso was shipped off and Myers will man the first base ship full time.

The Padres do have some other options at first base including Brett Wallace or a minor league option, but Myers is fully expected to be the everyday first baseman. If playing everyday can become a reality, we just might see Wil Myers make good on the hype that has followed him since he was drafted by the Royals in 2009.