Fansided

San Diego Padres: Surging Taylor Trammell presents good problem

By Ryan Sikes |
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Next
Taylor Trammell of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Taylor Trammell of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

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?

Tommy Pham. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tommy Pham. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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?

Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Padres: Observations from Peoria Sports Complex. dark

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.

Next
Home / Padres News

Schedule