San Diego Padres: 2019 was never our year, so what should we expect?

Prospects to the rescue

This team is young, and for now, the Padres’ potential rests in the hands of certain prospects who will make an appearance over the next few years — or perhaps even at the end of this season.

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The lack of rotational and bullpen depth is getting to them. As it stands, the pitching crew won’t be able to lead this team into the playoffs, much less sustain the success they’ve had thus far.

It’s understandable; the starting rotation is young and inexperienced, and the bullpen outside of Kirby Yates won’t be our bullpen of the future.

The Padres’ pipeline has already shown promise in the majors this season, too. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack aside, players like Logan Allen, Ty France, and Francisco Mejía have all flashed potential one way or another. Andres Muñoz, of course, had a standout debut on Friday too.

Everyone knows that the Padres have the number one farm system in the league, and the stats in the minors prove it too. Friar fans are salivating at our future team: a starting rotation of Chris Paddack, Luis Patiño, and Mackenzie Gore; a back-end bolstered by Muñoz and Kirby; and a lineup that features Tatis Jr., Machado, Eric Hosmer, and Luis Urias.

When September comes around, San Diego will get a better look at their other minor league players as well. The rosters will expand, giving some fringe players the opportunity to show what they’ve got and get their feet wet in the big leagues (*cough cough*  Mackenzie Gore, anyone?).

Of course, I hope that a trip to the playoffs is in order this season — but if we don’t make it, I won’t be disappointed. This season has already shown a lot of promise and sure is exciting to watch.

The future is bright, so let’s trust the process and enjoy the ride.

For complete coverage of the San Diego Padres’ 2019 season, be sure to visit Friars on Base all season long.