Padres 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Top prospect solves outfield shortage

Padres Opening Day outfield (4)

• Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Jose Azocar
• Jackson Merrill
• Jurickson Profar

The Padres addressed the void in their outfield, sort of, with the addition of Jurickson Profar. But Profar should not be seen as an everyday player, especially given the number of talented prospects currently in the San Diego farm system. And that's where Jackson Merrill comes in.

The Padres sent up a signal on Thursday when Merrill debuted in left field for the Friars' Cactus League opener. Though a natural shortstop, Merrill will be given every chance to win the starting job in left field. He looked good during Thursday's exhibition.

Jose Azocar is an underwhelming name to occupy the middle of the San Diego outfield. But at the moment, the 27-year-old is the best the Padres have to offer. Non-roster invitees like Oscar Mercado and Cal Mitchell will try to displace Azocar, but he has the inside track at the moment.

Finally, every single member of the Friar faithful knows who'll be lining up in right field for the Pads on Opening Day. Showing that he can more than hold his own in the outfield after winning a Gold Glove in 2023, Ferando Tatis Jr. will be patrolling those pastures at Petco Park once again when the 2024 season begins. Padres fans will want to see that same level of defense, but better production from Tatis' bat in 2024.

Padres Opening Day starting rotation (5)

• Joe Musgrove
• Michael King
• Yu Darvish
• Pedro Avila
• Randy Vasquez

Joe Musgrove didn't instill much confidence in the Padres fanbase after his brief performance on Thursday against the Dodgers. Less than one inning of work, four earned runs, and no outs recorded is not a way to make friends and influence people. However, Musgrove had a long layoff after an injury-plagued 2023 season, and the hope is that Java Joe will return to form by Opening Day.

Yu Darvish will likely follow Musgrove in the Padres rotation, and newcomer Michael King will be looked to as the Friars' No. 3 starter. One of the key pieces in the Juan Soto deal with the Yankees, King will be looking to prove that he's ready to take the next step in his quest to become a full-time starter.

The battle for the final two spots in the San Diego rotation will be an interesting one to follow this spring, and there's arguably four or five starters who can make a case to be part of the Opening Day roster.

Pedro Avila and Randy Vasquez may have an advantage at the moment, but Jhony Brito has a live arm and will be given a chance to make a run at the active roster as well. Matt Waldron could certainly sneak onto the Opening Day roster, and don't sleep on Jairo Iriarte showcasing his talents this spring.

Jay Groome will be a name to watch as the lone left-handed starter on the Padres 40-man roster. The southpaw is also out of minor league options. San Diego could also surprise everyone and sign a free agent starter, like Michael Lorenzen, before the 2024 season begins.

Padres Opening Day bullpen (8)

• Woo-Suk Go
• Yuki Matsui
• Robert Suarez
• Enyel De Los Santos
• Tom Cosgrove
• Wandy Peralta
• Jhony Brito
• Stephen Kolek

Looking at the San Diego bullpen offers Pads fans a lot of optimism. While the Friars are sure to miss closer Josh Hader, Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller did a nice job of adding to the relief corps.

Suarez is expected to take over closer duties for Hader in 2024, though there could be some competition from free agent signee Yuki Matsui. The Padres also brought in Woo-Suk Go and former Yankees reliever Wandy Peralta.

Enyel De Los Santos is out of minor-league options, so the right-hander is sure to receive some preferential treatment this spring. Stephen Kolek was a Rule 5 Draft pick earlier this offseason, so if the Friars want to keep him, it's imperative he stays on the active roster.

Jhony Brito will compete for a spot in the rotation, but with so much competition, perhaps Shildt shifts the right-hander into the bullpen to begin the 2024 campaign. Finally, look for yet another lefty to join the fray in Tom Cosgrove.

The Padres have several others who'll be vying for a spot in the bullpen. Steven Wilson, Luis Patiño, and Jeremiah Estrada could all make a case to be part of the relief corps. Over the next couple of weeks, these issues will likely be resolved by how well these pitchers perform in practice and during Cactus League play.