MESA, Ariz. — In an attempt to secure a position as an extra outfielder with the Padres, Brandon Lockridge has done almost everything he can.
In th
Additionally, he might not be listed on the roster for opening day.
In order to determine the final roster spots, it is necessary to identify at least one player with power, speed, bunting ability, left-handed batting ability, and the ability to play a variety of defensive positions. In addition to veterans with experience coming off the bench, the Padres seem to have an abundance of each of those things.
e field, at the plate, and on the bases. He continues to improve.
In Friday’s 5-1 victory over the Cubs, he made many running catches in the out
“I’ve never had a position player camp this competitive,” Padres manager Mike Shildt remarked. And it usually comes down to choosing your 26th guy from a group of two, three, or perhaps more guys at the end of the camp. We currently have ten real candidates for four or five places.
It may be more competitive than that, in fact.
field and went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Lockridge is 15-for-34 (.441) with four doubles and seven stolen bases after starting the spring 1-for-7 in three games. He has at least one hit in all but two of his last 15 games.
For the past week or so, it has appeared as though at least five players are competing for a single position.
The backup catcher is one of five bench places available. That will be either Luis Campusano or Martín Maldonado, with the latter seemingly favored by many in the organization for his defense and ability to handle a pitching staff but others saying Campusano continues to grow behind the plate and provides far more at the plate.
That leaves four spots. And three of them could already be spoken for, based on feedback from some of the persons participating in the decision making that will be made in the next five days.
Yuli Gurriel and left-handed hitter Gavin Sheets seem destined to share the designated hitter position at the beginning of the season. Both are capable of slugging, and Gurriel can play first base while Sheets can play first base and the corner outfield positions.
Many people choose Jose Iglesias as the main backup at shortstop, second base, and third base because of his defense and the at-bats he has taken this spring.
Lockridge, Oscar Gonzalez, Connor Joe, Eguy Rosario, and Tyler Wade are the remaining candidates for the last position if those three have secured berths.
The biggest challenge for Lockridge may be Wade, who has comparable tools. Lockridge made his major league debut on September 13 and is the better defender at three outfield positions. Wade has played in the major leagues for parts of eight seasons and started games at six positions last season while also making a name for himself in the clubhouse. If Rosario and Wade are not on the roster, they will be subject to waivers, and the others may be optioned to the minor leagues.
Wade asserted that “competition brings out the best in everyone.” It’s constructive competition. I believe that we all support one another, which is incredibly unusual because I’ve been in situations like this where men don’t support one another. Since we are all a team at the end of the day, isn’t that right? Thus, everyone is encouraging one another and bringing out the best in one another. And, dude, it’s a part of baseball. Competitions will always exist, and there is also the business aspect of things. So long as we’re all encouraging one another. And as you seen last year, everyone will ultimately lend us a hand and play a significant part. Thus, if it’s not
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