CACTUS LEAGUE

San Diego Padres banking on budding youth to catapult them to a better place in 2018

Bob McManaman
The Republic | azcentral.com
Catcher Austin Hedges (18) is one of several talented young players on the Padres' roster.

For the seventh straight season, the Padres failed to finish .500 or better in 2017, but there could be some reasonable hope moving forward. Despite a National League-worst team .234 batting average, a league-fewest 604 runs and an NL-low .299 team OPS, improvement could be on the way if several of San Diego’s young players, the core of which they plan to build around, are able to take the next step forward in their development.

Several teams would love to have the player-control rights of the Padres’ bevy of budding stars such as catcher Austin Hedges, outfielders Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe, and pitchers Luis Perdomo and Dinelson Lamet.

SPRING TRAINING IN ARIZONA: Your guide to the Cactus League

“It’s going to be interesting to see how it all unfolds,” third-year manager Andy Green told reporters. “I think we’re trying to create a culture of belief in our players, but also a culture of competition, guys pushing each other to be great. It’s muddy a picture trying to figure out how our roster fits together, but I think … bring in as much talent as you possibly can and we’ll sort it out.”

San Diego set a franchise record with 189 home runs last season, and there is reason to believe they can add to that given some of the boppers they have in Green’s lineup, which includes the re-acquisition of third baseman Chase Headley and the trade with Philadelphia for shortstop Freddy Galvis.

Preview:Dominant NL West, 'Babe Ruth of Japan' highlight 2018 Cactus League

Top draw

It might become incredibly easy to fall in love with some of the Padres’ collection of young and rising stars, but until one of them shows signs of becoming All-Star worthy and beyond, the player you probably should keep your eyes on this spring is first baseman Eric Hosmer, who recently signed an eight-year deal worth $144 million – the largest contract in franchise history.

His addition means Wil Myers, whom San Diego signed to a six-year, $83 million extension a year ago, will be shifted to the outfield a year after hitting a career-high 30 homers, along with 29 doubles and 20 stolen bases.

“This is an offseason that I’m preparing more than I ever have to be able to come back and take that next step as a ballplayer,” Myers told reporters recently, adding of his sub-bar .243 batting average, “I haven’t dealt with failure very well at the big-league level.”

MORE: Padres eager to get look at Tatis in spring training

Position battle

The logjam in the infield starts at second base. The top candidates to man the position are Cory Spangenberg and Carlos Asuaje. Last season as a rookie, Asuaje hit .270 and flashed very well, defensively. Spangenberg can shift between second and third base, as he has experience at both positions.

Don’t count out 20-year-old prospect Luis Urias, either. The infielder has a .310 batting average in 347 minor-league games with 153 walks to just 135 strikeouts. He’s played predominantly second base to this point, but can double at shortstop. The Padres may have to trade away another infielder to find him a spot when he’s ready for the majors full-time.

Breaking in

The Padres knew they had something special top prospect Manuel Margot, and that’s why they entrusted him as their starting center field and leadoff hitter last season as a rookie. He didn’t disappoint and might have actually been better than they could have expected. The first Padres rookie in history to homer twice in the club’s home opener, Margot has terrific speed, anticipation and projects to be a top defensive standout. He stole 17 bases, hit 13 home runs and had a .409 slugging percentage.

“When you’re able to be an impact, two-way player, that’s what makes you into a superstar,” Margot said late last season. “That’s something that I want to be.”

Big changes

In addition to parting ways with Solarte, the Padres also traded away with third baseman Ryan Schimpf, infielder Jose Rondon and outfielder Jabari Blash. Hosmer, Galvis and Headley were their two main acquisitions, although they signed a few free agents as well, including Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Makita to a two-year contract. The submarine-style hurler began his career as a starter but has transitioned into a reliever and went 3-3 with a 2.30 ERA in 62.2 innings last season for the Saitama Seibu Lions. The previous season, he was 7-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 78.2 innings.

Manager: Andy Green.

2017 record: 71-91.

CACTUS LEAGUE: Who's new, who's gone, when and where teams will be reporting 

PURCHASE: San Diego Padres spring training tickets 

Team previews