San Diego Padres: Offseason relief pitching predictions

In our last installment of the San Diego Padres offseason predictions series, we will discuss the relief pitching predictions.

Just like in the previous prediction series articles, we will only discuss players who are or will be with the organization next season. No free agent signings or possible trade scenarios.

Long considered a strength of the team. The relief pitching hasn’t been what it once was. Once upon a time if you gave the ball over to the bullpen from the seventh inning on, It was game over. That is simply not the case any longer.

With the team going thru a massive rebuild, it doesn’t look like a strength anytime soon either. At least not for a couple of years. They do have some young arms that can change that however.

In this relief pitching predictions article we will look at the projected bullpen for next years teams. From the big league squad all the way thru the short season team in Tri-City.

While putting this list together, it again shows the extensive depth from San Diego to that Tri-City affiliate. This list will include six relief options for every affiliate. Three relief, two setup, one closing candidate, and two honorable mentions.

San Diego Padres

RP-Buddy Baumann

RP-Kirby Yates

RP-Jose Torres

SU-Carter Capps

SU-Craig Stammen

CP-Brad Hand

Honorable mentions:

1) Phil Maton

2) Kevin Quackenbush

AAA-El Paso Chihuahuas

RP-Jason Jester

RP-Eric Yardley

RP-Adam Cimber

SU-Kyle McGrath

SU-Cory Mazzoni

CP-Phil Maton

Honorable mentions:

1) Brad Wieck

2) Cesar Vargas

AA-San Antonio Missions

RP-Brad Wieck

RP-Cesar Vargas

RP-Yimmi Brasoban

SU-Jose Castillo

SU-T.J. Weir

CP-Trey Wingenter

Honorable mentions:

1) Jake Smith

2) Colby Blueberg

High A Lake Elsinore

RP-Thomas Dorminy

RP-Jake Smith

RP-David Bednar

SU-Gerardo Reyes

SU-Emmanuel Ramirez

CP-Colby Blueberg

Honorable mentions:

1) Hansel Rodriguez

2) Adrian De Horta

Low A Fort Wayne Tin Caps

RP-Adrian De Horta

RP-Travis Radke

RP-Fred Schichtholz

SU-Jordan Guerrero

SU-Jose Galindo

CP-Hansel Rodriguez

Honorable mentions:

1) Dalton Erb

2) Darius Valdez

Short Season Tri-City Dust Devils

RP-Thomas Cosgrove

RP-Elliot Ashbeck

RP-Wilmer Torres

SU-Dalton Erb

SU-Trevor Megill

CP-Darius Valdez

Honorable mentions:

1) Andres Munoz

2) Cole Bellinger

Like all of my previous articles, this list shows how much talent the system has. From the relief pitching at Tri-City to the big league club, there is much to like.

Next: Manuel Margot’s memorable year

There are players on this list that deserve a promotion to a level higher than where they are here. The bullpen on this years club isn’t where it once was, but the players coming soon will one day make it a dominant piece of the future.