San Diego Padres: Surging Taylor Trammell presents good problem

Playing time could be easy if Tommy Pham starts the year on the IL

The Padres acquired Tommy Pham back in December because of his ability to put the bat on the ball. He’s emerged as a vocal leader thus far in camp through his work ethic, and Trammell has taken a liking to him as well.

Pham had elbow problems down the stretch of 2019 season, and his medicals were heavily scrutinized with several reports indicating a contingency that could potentially rescind the trade.

However, an oblique strain has limited Pham to the designated hitter role, which has opened a considerable amount of playing time for Trammell.

The Padres also made a trade for Trent Grisham, who was, at one point, considered to be untouchable in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization. And through six starts, the 23-year-old has posted a .412/.444/.588 slash line with seven hits, including a home run last Friday off Cubs’ starter Tyler Chatwood.

But with the oft-injured Cordero and slimmed-down version of Naylor vying for additional playing time in 2020, it’s going to be challenging for everyone, especially Trammell, to get enough reps that both aid their development and the team.

Trammell is simply not going to be rotting on the bench, and if the Padres cannot get regular at-bats for him, he’s better off starting the year in Triple-A El Paso.

FanGraphs projects Trammelll to play in 125 games (516 plate appearances) and post a slash line of .204/.293/.308 with nine home runs and 37 RBI. I think he’s capable of performing much better than that, given the right amount of playing time.

Which brings up the next important question. What do with Wil Myers?

Might Wil Myers, again, have to be flexible where he plays?

Myers signed a six-year, $83 million extension before the 2017 season with a $20 million club option for 2023 as well.

His first three seasons, post extension, have been a disappointment with a particular emphasis on 2019 and his 34.3 percent strikeout rate.

However, he’s come out on fire early-on in spring training, posting a .421/.476/1.000 line with two doubles, three home runs, four RBI, and leads the team with 19 total bases through Wednesday’s contest with the Royals.

Myers has been subject to playing all over the field throughout his Major League career. While valid points can be made for him to remain at one position, it’s looking more and more like he will have to move around to accommodate everyone else in 2020.

Myers spent most of the 2017 season at first base before Eric Hosmer relieved him of his duties, and he’s seen time at all three outfield positions and time at third base in 2018.

The arrival of Manny Machado last year put an end to the latter – albeit two spot starts at third in 2019 – but I think there should be a level of expectation that he could play there if needed.

Breaking down positional time for the major candidates, I believe Jayce Tingler will have to come up with something like this (utilizing Fangraphs’ projected playing time for Trammell):

• Trammell: 125G, 516 PA (Outfield)
• Pham: 130G, 537 PA (Left Field)
• Grisham: 145G, 600 PA (Center Field)
• Myers: 100G, 413 PA (Right Field)
• Myers: 20G, 83 PA (Left Field)
• Myers: 10G, 41 PA (First Base)
• Myers: 5G, 20 PA (Third Base)

That scenario would provide Myers with 135 games of playing time while allowing Trammell to essentially be an everyday player, potentially filling in for Pham if he starts the year on the IL. Then, he would split his time between center and right field.

Obviously, all of this would change significantly if the Padres were able to trade Myers, but it sounds like he is part of their plan for 2020. Anyways, Trammell has gotten off to a good start in spring training, and he’s making quite a case to be a regular on the Opening Day roster.