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

The San Diego Padres got their first taste of Cactus League play this week with a 14-1 thrashing at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Things couldn't have gone much worse for new manager Mike Shildt and the Juan Soto-less Friars, but these exhibition contests don't count toward the 162 games the Padres will play in 2024.

Shildt may have given Pads fans some idea of how the Friars' skipper is planning to fill out his lineup card on Opening Day, but spring training provides managers and front office executives plenty of opportunities to see what's working and what's not ahead of the upcoming season.

The Padres have more questions than answers with Soto and Trent Grisham off to the Bronx, half their rotation from 2023 pitching for other clubs, and only three outfielders on the 40-man roster. What might the Padres 2024 Opening Day roster look like when San Diego heads off to Korea next month for the Seoul Series?

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

Padres Opening Day infield (9)

• Ha-Seong Kim
• Xander Bogaerts
• Jake Cronenworth
• Eguy Rosario
• Kyle Higashioka
• Manny Machado
• Luis Campusano
• Matthew Batten
• Graham Pauley

The everyday spots in the Padres infield should not be up for debate. Kim and Bogaerts will be the Friars double-play combo in 2024. Bogaerts will find a new home at the keystone after Mike Shildt made the switch earlier this spring.

If Manny Machado is healthy following offseason surgery, he'll obviously take his rightful place at third base. If not, then the Padres will be shuffling players like Matthew Batten and Eguy Rosario at the hot corner. Even if Machado is healthy, both Batten and Rosario will probably leave Peoria with a ticket for San Diego.

Look for Luis Campusano to get the lion's share of starts behind home plate this season, but don't discount the presence of Kyle Higashioka on the Friars' roster either. The longtime New York Yankees backstop should bring a calming effect to a young Padres pitching staff.

Graham Pauley, after a stint in the Arizona Fall League, is one of the more interesting players present at Padres camp this spring. If given enough opportunities in Cactus League play, Pauley will have a legitimate chance to land on the Padres Opening Day roster. The question, however, is where he fits defensively. But if Pauley's bat plays, Shildt will find a place for his glove.

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 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.