Padres set to begin Spring Training

By Ali Siddiqui |

Baseball season is right around the corner. The Padres began spring training on Thursday in Perioa, Arizona.

The Padres will a different team this year both on the field and in the dugout. Andy Green is the new manager, replacing Bud Black who was the manager the previous nine seasons. They also lost All-Stars Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel, as well as Ian Kennedy and Jedd Gyorko. They signed Carlos Villanueva, Alexei Ramirez and Fernando Rodney.

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The Padres’ full roster reports on February 23 and their first spring game will on March 2 against the Seattle Mariners. They open the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 4. The MLB All-Star game will be held at Petco Park on July 12.

The Padres have not made it to the playoff since 2006 and have not had a winning season since 2010. At the moment it does not look like either streak will be coming to an end this year, since this is a rebuilding year. Though they may not be called up to the majors this year, the Padres do have three prospects that are ranked in top 100 by MLB.com. Those prospects are outfielders Manuel Margot (no.45) and Hunter Renfroe (no.92) and shortstop Javier Guerra (no.58).

Margot, 21, stole 39 bases last season in the Boston Red Sox minor league system and also batted .276 with six home runs and 27 doubles.

Renfroe, 24, hit 20 home runs combined in both Double-A and Triple-A and has the best chance of the three to make the final roster.

Guerra, 20, hit .279 with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs in Single-A.

Green announced that Tyson Ross will be the opening day starter. Ross went 10-12 last season with a 3.26 ERA.

“Tyson is ready and eager to take that ball on Day 1, and we’re excited to have him as our ace,” Green said. “It’s definitely an affirmation of who Tyson is and a belief in him and where he’s headed. I think it’s just the right choice as an organization.” (ESPN.com)

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James Shields will be the no.2 starter and Andrew Cashner will be no.3. The final two spots are undetermined at the moment.

The beginning of baseball season is always exciting. Opening day will be here before you know it. The Padres have lost some key players from 2015, but also could have a bright future ahead.

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