San Diego Padres: Opening Day 25-Man Roster Projections & Summary

In our last look at the San Diego Padres Organizational Roster Projections series, we finally get to the team that matters the most. Our Beloved Swinging Friars.

The San Diego Padres’ roster that shall be presented to you looked far different from it would have looked just a few weeks ago. Injuries, good performance, and bad performance have all changed what was originally written.

To be honest though. After making the changes we did, this version ended up my favorite anyway. Go figure. This roster has a lot of match-ups and mix and match potential. As well as flexibility.

If this is the line-up chosen for Opening Day, in my opinion, would be the deepest Padres team in recent memory. At least the lineup and bench. They will be able to create matchup nightmares because of the flexibility they will have.

After presenting the roster, we will offer an explanation of why we picked the rosters at both El Paso and San Diego. A lot of people didn’t expect to see Fernando Tatis Jr. in Triple-A, and will more than likely not expect to see a player or two on the roster we present to you now.

Padres fans everywhere, here is your 2018 San Diego Padres projected 25-man roster.

Starting Pitching:

1) Clayton Richard-LH

2) Tyson Ross-RH

3) Dinelson Lamet-RH

4) Luis Perdomo-RH

5) Bryan Mitchell-RH

Spot Starter/Long Man

6) Jordan Lyles-RH

Bullpen:

MR-Colten Brewer-RH

MR-Carter Capps-RH

MR-Craig Stammen-RH

SU-Kaz Makita-RH

SU-Kirby Yates-RH

CL-Brad Hand-LH

Starting Eight:

1B-Eric Hosmer

RF-Wil Myers

Bench:

C-A.J. Ellis

If-Christian Villanueva

Utility-Cory Spangenberg

OF-Jose Pirela

OF-Franchy Cordero

There are your 2018 San Diego Padres folks. With the way the rosters were constructed for Triple-A El Paso and San Diego, you are probably wondering why they were picked that way.

El Paso Summary

First, I’ll explain my El Paso Chihuahuas projections from a few days ago, leading into my thought process on selecting the Padres squad. The surprise name on the Chihuahuas’ roster without a doubt is Fernando Tatis Jr. When these rosters were originally drafted up, he was going to start at Double-A San Antonio.

However, the way he has played this spring propels him up the food chain. This kid can flat-out play the game of baseball. He looks like he could play in the majors this year. He is one prospect who will be a future superstar.

In all of my thirty-five years of being the biggest fan of my hometown team, at no time can I remember the Padres having such a can’t miss prospect. His development this year will be something to watch very closely.

One reason for the excitement is to see what kind of numbers he can put up in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Moving him up to El Paso should do two things for his future development.

The first thing it does is it lets him know that the organization truly has his back, which leads directly to the second; the confidence boost it’ll give him knowing that they have his back.

And by putting him in the hitter-friendly league, it should boost his confidence too. Especially if he were to get off to a fast start. Coming from a fan perspective, it’s very exciting to see the numbers he could put up there.

San Diego Padres Summary

Now let us discuss the major league team. There are definitely surprises on this roster. As recently as just two days ago, this would have looked a lot different.

We wouldn’t have seen Franchy Cordero or Christian Villanueva for instance. In all honesty, though, both of them have earned their place on the roster. An injury to Alex Dickerson dictated the changes and the domino effect that ensued.

As far as the pitching side of things goes, the way we chose the rotation and bullpen was two-fold. The first being by performance and the second being by contractual status.

For instance, Tyson Ross has earned his place due to his performance this spring. While Jordan Lyles, Carter Capps, and Colten Brewer all have guaranteed major league contracts.

More from Friars on Base

So if they don’t make the team, they risk losing them to a waiver claim or having to give them their outright release. While other players who deserve a spot on the team but have options remaining are being sent down for depth.

An example of what I mean would be Carter Capps for instance. With no options remaining, the front office would probably love to send him down to give him some time to ease his way back from surgery.

But they can’t. Mind you, they could put him on the disabled list too, and therefore be given a roster spot to somebody deserved of one, which is an option I’m sure they’re discussing.

They could release Capps and Lyles, but they like their upside too much. Especially Capps. The next few weeks we should see some fun baseball, with all the roster spots still up for grabs. It should make for a very spirited end to camp.

Next: Margot Having a Tough Spring

One thing is for sure, the San Diego Padres are in a better roster place than they were this time last year. In just the last year alone, General Manager A.J. Preller has taken what many considered the worst roster in all of baseball and turned it into one that has a lot of depth, and competition.

With a little under three weeks left to decide who makes the Opening Day roster, it will be fun to see how close my roster projections for the 2018 San Diego Padres will have actually come true.

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