San Diego Padres: Getting to Know Spring Training Standout Jason Vosler

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Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres. Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport /

We take a look at San Diego Padres infielder Jason Vosler — who is off to a great spring training — and if he could possibly make the roster.

The San Diego Padres are just 10 games into the spring training schedule, and while results don’t matter here, it’s nice to see them with an 8-1 record.

Right now the pitching staff is dominating hitters in spring training with a league-leading ERA of 2.81.

But on the offensive side, one of the biggest standouts thus far is corner infielder Jason Vosler.

He’s played in seven games through March 2 and has 7 hits in 13 at-bats, including 2 doubles and a home run.

The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has also scored 4 runs with 5 RBI, 3 walks, just 2 strikeouts, and he even has a stolen base.

Vosler has spent most of his time at first base this Spring with one appearance at third and another in the DH spot.

Most of his work has come off the bench late in games, but he has started two games at first base and went 4-for-7 with a home combined in those two starts going up against big league pitchers.

He’s currently tied for the team-lead in hits with the fourth most at-bats, and he has the most RBI of any Padres hitter.

Obviously it’s early, but that’s what this time of the year is for — optimism.

Vosler is off to a great start and it’s catching the eyes of a lot of people. Let’s look at the history of Vosler and what his future outlook could be with the Padres.

Jason Vosler #86 of the Chicago Cubs. (Photo by David J. Becker/Getty Images) /

Where did he come from

Jason Vosler, who is from New York, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Northeastern University

In that 2014 season he hit .266/.361 in Low-A with 1 home run in 94 at-bats.

The next season he played 107 games between Single-A and High-A and hit .238/.323 with 10 home runs.

In 2016 he hit .254/.325 with 2 home runs in High-A before being called up to Double-A where he hit .250/.314 with 1 home run in 92 at-bats.

The power picked up in 2017 when he hit 21 home runs in Double-A for the Cubs over 452 at-bats with a .241 average.

They sent him to the Arizona Fall League that year and he hit just .210/.323 with 2 home runs in 81 at-bats.

He split the 2018 season between Double-A and Triple-a and hit .251/.330 with 23 home runs in 471 at-bats.

In November of 2018, the Padres traded right-handed pitcher Rowan Wick to the Cubs for Vosler.

This past season in Triple-A El Paso with the Padres he hit .291/.367 with 20 home runs in 375 at-bats.

Vosler was left unprotected in this offseason’s Rule 5 Draft but went undrafted. Some teams may regret not taking a chance on him.

Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Future outlook

We all know Eric Hosmer has a lock on first base in San Diego for the foreseeable future if for no other reason than because he’s getting paid.

But if an injury were to occur, Vosler could be the first player they look to as a fill-in.

I don’t really see Vosler being a candidate for the bench because there are already several other good options and players who can fill in at first base for a game or two if needed.

What I didn’t realize until doing some research is that Vosler actually has spent time at every infield position throughout his Minor League career, but most of his work has come at third base.

Unfortunately for him, he’s also blocked at third base for quite a while in San Diego.

He’s still just 26 years old, so perhaps there is still a future for him in the big leagues.

I really like his on-base skills with a solid .338 career average in the minors. And he’s certainly grown into some power with back-to-back 20 home run seasons.

If given an everyday job at the big league level I could see him hitting .250/.330 with 20-25 home runs if he reaches his full potential.

Not to start a debate, but that’s pretty much what Hosmer is giving us now along with below-average defense.

And that’s something I don’t know about Vosler — is how good of a defender he can be at first.

3 worst-case scenarios for 2020. dark. Next

I still think it’s a longshot that he breaks camp with the Padres, but if he keeps hitting like this and into the season, there is a good chance he makes his big league debut in 2020.

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We take a look at San Diego Padres infielder Jason Vosler — who is off to a great spring training — and if he could possibly make the roster.

Where did he come from

Future outlook

Schedule