3 biggest questions for San Diego Padres during spring training

Can a young arm win a rotation spot

We know the top four in the starting rotation are pretty much a lock with Chris Paddack, Garrett Richards, Dinelson Lamet, Zach Davies.

And I really think the final spot will come down to Joey Lucchesi and Cal Quantrill with Lucchesi being the overwhelming favorite at the moment.

But I think what we all really want to know, and what we’ll be keeping our eye on in spring training, is if one of the younger guys can show enough to break through into the rotation.

Of course, the big names here are MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino. I think Patino is going back to the minors no matter what, and I think Gore would have to dominant over five starts like Paddack did last Spring to even have a chance.

But I might be even more curious to see how Adrian Morejon and Michel Baez perform in spring training as both are expected to be stretched back out as starters.

Both were babied a bit in 2019, and for good reason, but both also still have the potential to be mid-rotation starters.

And we all know the Padres are going to need more than six starters throughout the season.

Hopefully Morejon and Baez can at least prove that they’re capable of coming in and making a spot start if they need to.

Jerad Eickhoff was also brought on as a non-roster invitee and he’s had success at the big league level in the past.

San Diego really needs all seven of these starters (after the top four) to prove they’re capable of handling a start every now-and-then.

With all of the young guys we have, it’s going to take 8-10 starters to get through the season.

They had 16 players make at least one start last season and seven players make 12 starts or more.

Finding that starting pitcher depth, and good starting pitching depth, in spring training will be crucial.

What will you be keeping an eye one during spring training? Let us know in the comments below and check back throughout spring training as we update these questions.