San Diego Padres: Surging Taylor Trammell presents good problem

Taylor Trammell has been lighting it up in Spring Training thus far, and the San Diego Padres have to figure out how to get everyone playing time

Acquired in the three-team trade that centered around Trevor Bauer being sent to the Cincinnati Reds, Taylor Trammell has been a budding superstar for the San Diego Padres in a little over half a season with the team.

Spending all of last year in Double-A – split between two organizations – I think most expected that Trammell would begin the year in Triple-A El Paso with an opportunity to be called up later in the year, in the event of an injury or performance-based.

However, through 11 spring training games, the 22-year-old has looked every bit the part of a Major League player, slashing .400/.455/.550 with three doubles, four RBI, and two walks in nine starts.

He’s been able to take advantage of the playing time created by Tommy Pham‘s injuries lingering from last year and also in camp.

Trammell’s .400 average is good for fourth-best in baseball, and while Spring Training statistics can often be misleading, he’s certainly making it difficult for the Padres to start him in the minors.

A strong argument can also be made that he is more deserving of a roster spot than both Franchy Cordero and Josh Naylor.

If Trammell makes the Opening Day roster, he’s not going to be just a fourth or fifth outfielder. He’s going to be getting regular at-bats that are conducive to his development. How does that impact everyone else?