San Diego Padres Spring Training Notebook: Day One

Welcome to the Friars on Base Spring Training Notebook! In this segment, we plan to bring you a daily rundown of San Diego Padres news, notes, and game recaps from around spring training.

San Diego Padres baseball is finally back! While a majority of the team has already made their way to Peoria, today is the first official day for pitchers and catchers. Workouts will begin tomorrow, ending the slowest off-season in the history of baseball.

Each morning, Friars On Base will provide readers with a quick rundown of the sights and sounds of spring training, thoughts on each and every spring training game, and constant updates on key positional battles.

For Day one, let’s revisit Andy Green’s opening question and answer session from yesterday.

What’s the plan for the young San Diego Padres?

Manager Andy Green plans on using the young positional player non-roster invitees immediately. “We’re going to get those guys on the baseball field,” said Green when discussing Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Luis Urias. “They will play fairly significantly early on.” What a better way to kick off early spring training games than to give fans a look at the presumed future of the franchise!

As far as the pitchers, Cal Quantrill, Eric Lauer, and Joey Lucchesi, fans will have to wait a week or so before the young arms make their debut. Green explained that each is on a progression plan that will prepare them for a full season of baseball, not February spring training games. Much of their work won’t be in-game action, so fans should prepare for limited sightings of the young pitchers this spring.

Injuries and random notes.

Colin Rea, Robbie Erlin, and Matt Strahm are ready to go for 2018, according to Green. Strahm is the only one facing limitations. He’s not ready to field his position and cover first but feels good on the mound. All three are on a “normal, slow progression plan.”

Allen Cordoba is not in camp yet and is “feeling the effects” of his car accident from a few days ago. Green said he is ok and expects him in camp on time.

San Diego Padres

The coaching staff will use Wil Myers exclusively at first base, for now. Andy Green isn’t worried about Myers having to make a quick move to the outfield, should Eric Hosmer sign.

Green commented on Kazuhisa Makita after speaking with him and watching throw a bullpen session. He doesn’t think NL West hitters will be used to or be able to handle his delivery, describing it as “lower than low.” It appears that Makita is fitting in well with the team and that the coaching staff is very high on his ability to contribute late in games this season.

Lastly, Green refused to comment on the alleged domestic violence incident involving Jose Torres since it is currently an ongoing investigation. The Padres released this official statement yesterday,

Next: What Will The Padres Batting Order Look Like In 2018?

The San Diego Padres will begin playing spring training games on February 23rd.