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sports and financial markets enthusiast. Native San Diegan, diehard Padres, adopted Warriors and ex-Chargers fan
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ale522 has written 1566 articles so far, you can find them below.
Chris Paddack Preparing For Opening Day Nod
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack stretched out to six innings in his latest start Sunday. Firing 71 pitches, the 24-year-old cruised through four frames before working out of several jams later on. With the Friars talking up Paddack as their ace, he seems destined to be the Opening Day starter on July 24. Despite... Read More
Padres Looking For Left-Handed Relief Help
The San Diego Padres are looking for bullpen help as injuries accumulate in summer camp. With key left-handed reliever Jose Castillo (lat) out at least six weeks, the Friars are down to just two relief southpaws in Matt Strahm and Drew Pomeranz. Meanwhile, lefty pitching prospects MacKenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon are viewed more as... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Gets In Full Workout
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to workouts Saturday and got in a full session. The 21-year-old missed the past couple days feeling under the weather. He’s tested negative for COVID-19 several times. After a back injury cut his sensational 2019 rookie season short, Tatis will look to build off his .969 OPS,... Read More
Luis Patino Sharp In Intrasquad Game
San Diego Padres pitching prospect Luis Patino allowed one hit in three frames in the Friars intrasquad game Thursday. Riding a fastball that hit 97 mph, the team’s No. 3 prospect continued making his claim for the roster. Patino excelled in 2019 across High-A and Double-A, recording a 2.57 ERA and 11.7 K/9 across 94 2/3... Read More
Trey Wingenter Shut Down With Elbow Irritation
San Diego Padres reliever Trey Wingenter (elbow) is dealing with irritation in his throwing elbow and will be shut down. He’ll be tested again in five days. The 26-year-old has been a strikeout artist for the Friars with a 12.7 K/9 over the past two years, but posted an ugly 5.65 ERA last season due... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Misses Workouts With Headache
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (headache) was held out of workouts for the second consecutive day Friday. The team claims the move is precautionary as Tatis has tested negative for COVID-19. The 21-year-old stud shined in his 2019 debut with a .969 OPS, 22 homers and 16 steals, but was shut down after... Read More
Tommy Pham Cleared To Join Padres Camp
Updating a previous report, San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham has cleared two negative COVID-19 tests and is eligible to join camp. The 32-year-old veteran tested positive last weekend and ultimately misses just one week of workouts. Coming off three consecutive campaigns of four-category fantasy contributions, Pham is priced with little room for error in... Read More
Tommy Pham Close To Returning
After testing positive for COVID-19 last weekend, San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham appears close to returning. With one negative test to hurdle, Pham could be back on the field as Opening Day fast approaches. The 32-year-old is coming off three consecutive years as a four-category fantasy contributor and projects to be the Friars everyday... Read More
Wil Myers Earning His Stripes Back
San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers may once again be a viable fantasy asset. With outfielder Tommy Pham sidelined indefinitely due to COVID-19, Myers is the front-runner to start in right field. The 29-year-old has maintained a positive outlook despite a tumultuous offseason of trade rumors while entering spring training as a rotational option. With Pham’s... Read More
Trent Grisham Locking Up Center Field Duties
San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham has shined in summer camp and is a near-lock to be the starting center fielder. After debuting in 2019, the 23-year-old joined the Friars via trade with starter Zach Davies in the offseason. Grisham comes with a power/speed pedigree and strong plate discipline. He registered a respectable .738 OPS... Read More
Drew Pomeranz Fine After Tweaking Knee
San Diego Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz (knee) is fine despite exiting last weekend’s game after planting awkwardly. The move was precautionary and he’ll make his next scheduled outing. The 31-year-old journeyman found new life as a left-handed specialist in 2019 and will work from the bullpen in his second stint with the Friars. After flopping... Read More
Ryan Weathers, Joey Cantillo Destined For Alternate-Site Roster
San Diego Padres pitching prospects Ryan Weathers and Joey Cantillo will likely be alternate-site starters once the season starts. The team’s No. 9 and 10 prospects, respectively, had little shot of making the big league roster but will stay sharp while tuning up Padres hitters waiting for call-ups. Weathers, 20, posted a 3.84 ERA in 22... Read More
Jose Castillo Out Six Weeks With Lat Strain
San Diego Padres reliever Jose Castillo (lat) was diagnosed with a teres major strain and will be out at least six weeks. The injury is another brutal setback for the 24-year-old, who was expected to be a key cog in the Padres loaded bullpen. Castillo was electric as a rookie in 2018 with a 3.29... Read More
Eric Hosmer No Stranger To Hot Starts
San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer has a knack for quick starts. Over the past five seasons, the nine-year veteran holds an .833 OPS through the first 60 games, incidentally the length of 2020. After spiraling to end last year, Hosmer finished with a subpar 91 wRC+ and 22 long balls in his second... Read More
Joey Lucchesi's Splits Align With Expanded Bullpens
If he makes the rotation, San Diego Padres starter Joey Lucchesi will benefit from a larger bullpen this season. The third-year pitcher has demonstrated stark splits, possessing a sturdy .685 OPS against the first two times through the order compared to a bloated .943 afterwards. Assuming he bests teammate Cal Quantrill, the Friars will likely... Read More
Edward Olivares Making Moves
San Diego Padres outfield prospect Edward Olivares has carried his impressive spring training into the start of summer camp. The Friars' No. 20 prospect took a leap at Double-A in 2019, registering a 123 wRC+, 18 dingers and 35 steals. A long shot to crack the roster, Olivares will attempt to carve out a role with... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Hard-Nosed Style Fits Abbreviated Season
Known for his relentless motor, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. could be a primary beneficiary of a shortened season. After a roaring debut in 2019 with a .969 OPS, 22 homers and 16 steals in 84 games, the 21-year-old phenom was shutdown with a lower back injury. That marked his third serious injury... Read More
MacKenzie Gore, Luis Patino Battling To Crack Roster
With the expanded 30-man rosters in 2020, the glimmering chance for San Diego Padres hyped-prospect starters MacKenzie Gore (MLB’s No. 5 prospect) and Luis Patino (No. 27) to crack the team are brightening. Manager Jayce Tingler confirmed the youngsters are “competing for roles,” including potential relief opportunities. However, both prospects are building up as starters... Read More
Josh Naylor Getting Reps At First Base
San Diego Padres outfielder Josh Naylor is seeing action at first base early in summer camp. Expected to compete for at-bats with outfielders Wil Myers and Franchy Cordero, reps at first could improve his playing prospects. Naylor debuted with a modest 89 wRC+ in 2019, launching eight homers in 279 plate appearances. Possessing strong plate... Read More
Manny Machado Strives To Hustle More In Abbreviated Season
After a down campaign in 2019, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is determined to reemerge as one of baseball’s top talents. Despite 32 homers, the 27-year-old posted a modest 108 wRC+ in his first season with the Friars. The daunting confines of Petco Park likely contributed, but Machado registered just a .755 OPS... Read More
David Price Prioritizing Health, Sitting Out 2020 Season
Los Angeles Dodgers starter David Price announced Saturday he will forgo the 2020 season. Price becomes the highest profile opt-out as he’ll prioritize health and family amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Price will sacrifice roughly $11.9 million in salary this season but should conceivably return to baseball next year in his age 35 season. With a... Read More
Chris Paddack Maintained Juice During Shutdown
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack asserted that he hasn’t lost any momentum since the cancellation of spring training. The 24-year-old will go four frames in his next start and expects to hit six innings once the season begins. Paddack burst on the scene in 2019 with a stellar 3.33 ERA (3.95 FIP), 0.98 WHIP... Read More
Cole Wilcox Signs Record Deal With Friars
The San Diego Padres signed 2020 third-round pitcher Cole Wilcox to a landmark deal on Tuesday. The ex-Georgia Bulldog will receive $3.3 million, setting a record for the third round and easily surpassing his slot value of $767,800 at 80th overall. Hyped as a potential first-rounder, the 20-year-old right-hander possesses a lightning fastball and two... Read More
Former Top Prospect Jorge Mateo Headed To San Diego
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the San Diego Padres have acquired shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo from the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named later. Logjammed in the Bay Area, the A’s No. 7 prospect was out of options and will now test his fate in San Diego. The 25-year-old possesses game-breaking speed, swiping... Read More
Padres Player Pool Packed With Young Talent
The San Diego Padres player pool announcement Sunday was loaded with hyped youngsters. Of the 52 confirmed players, the Padres selected all 13 of their top prospects along with their first-round pick in the 2020 draft. The usual suspects were top-tier starters MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patiño who both had outside shots to crack the... Read More
Brian Dozier And Juan Lagares Left Off Padres Player Pool
The San Diego Padres 2020 player pool unveiled Sunday omitted second baseman Brian Dozier and outfielder Juan Lagares. The two veterans are still under contract so it’s possible they rejoin the Friars later in summer camp. Dozier’s absence is a boost to projected starter Jurickson Profar, who will now have less competition for at-bats. Young... Read More
Matt Strahm Expects To Pitch Despite Expecting Child
San Diego Padres reliever Matt Strahm expects to remain a cog in the Padres bullpen in 2020, despite expecting a child later this year. Given an opportunity for exemption, the 28-year-old will pitch despite the high-risk potential. The lefty struggled last season, flailing to a 4.71 ERA but managed a respectable 19.7 strikeout-minus-walk percentage. While... Read More
Tommy Pham Could Benefit From DH Rule
San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham (elbow) could benefit from the universal designated hitter in 2020. Supposedly recovered from a partially torn UCL, the 32-year-old wasn’t playing much in the outfield prior to spring training being shut down. Fangraphs currently has Pham penciled in as the Friars DH, which would also lift playing time for... Read More
Dinelson Lamet And Garrett Richards Won't Be Limited
With a shortened season ahead, San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler hinted starters Dinelson Lamet and Garrett Richards won’t be limited in 2020. Both over 24 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Lamet (27) and Richards (32) will likely represent the middle of the Friars rotation. Possessing a career 11.7 K/9, Lamet’s upside is reflected... Read More
Reggie Lawson Goes Under The Knife
San Diego Padres pitching prospect Reggie Lawson (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday. The Friars No. 16 prospect managed just 27 2/3 innings last year in Double-A after dealing with elbow issues and finally succumbed to the knife. The 22-year-old possesses a three-pitch arsenal with upside potential but has been riddled with injuries since his... Read More
