San Diego Padres News: Wil Myers’ stats “nothing to look into”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres celebrates his run in the dugout, from a Eric Hosmer #30 single to tie the game 2-2 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres celebrates his run in the dugout, from a Eric Hosmer #30 single to tie the game 2-2 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Wil Myers has gotten off to a torrid start in spring training, but the San Diego Padres outfielder knows the statistics mean little for the regular season.

If any player needs a bounceback year, it’s Wil Myers. The 29-year-old is coming off two lackluster seasons and entering year four of the six-year extension he signed before the 2017 season. He’s off to a terrific start this spring, slashing .421/.476/1.000 before Friday night’s game.

Myers figures to be a mainstay in right field this season, after the last couple of seasons saw him bounce all over to accommodate other players. His defense is suspect at best, but the duo of Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham occupying the two other positions should help cover a majority of the outfield.

And while the statistics early on are pleasing, he knows they mean little as far as the regular season goes: “It’s spring training. It’s nothing to look into.”

Other News

  • Speaking of Pham, he’s expected to play in left field as soon as next week. He’s been playing catch from about 150 feet but has yet to run any significant drills that would apply to a game scenario.
  • Greg Garcia is off to a terrific start as well, and he’s likely going to earn a roster spot with both Brian Dozier and Jurickson Profar underwhelming thus far in camp. He (Garcia) is likely to earn spot starts or pinch-hit at-bats against right-handed pitchers, where he has a career .727 OPS compared to .549 against lefties.
  • MLB Pipeline has released their new Top 30 prospects for every team, and to no one’s surprise, MacKenzie Gore is still the Padres’ number one prospect. However, there are a few surprises after Gore with CJ Abrams moving up to number two in the organization and number 25 in baseball. Luis Patino, Luis Campusano, and Taylor Trammell round out the top five.
  • MyMLBDraft has updated its 2020 mock draft, and they have the Padres taking centerfielder Garrett Mitchell eighth overall in June’s draft. Mitchell is a junior at UCLA and has posted a .354/.448/.479 line with six doubles, five RBI, six walks, and five stolen bases in his first 12 games. Last year he posted a .984 OPS with 14 doubles, 12 triples, six home runs, 41 RBI, and 18 stolen bases.

That’s it for today.

Next. Padres: Predicting statistical leaders for 2020 season. dark