News
02/11/05 8:00 AM ET
Padres Spring Training Quick Hits
Looking ahead to the 2005 season
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
The Padres hope adding speedsters to the front of the lineup will help Mark Loretta to an even bigger season in 2005. (Lenny Ignelzi/AP)
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2004 record
87-75, 3rd place, NL West Projected batting order
1. CF Dave Roberts, .254 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBIs in 2004
2. 2B Mark Loretta, .335 BA, 16 HR, 76 RBIs in 2004
3. RF Brian Giles, .284 BA, 23 HR, 94 RBIs in 2004
4. 1B Phil Nevin, .289 BA, 26 HR, 105 RBIs in 2004
5. LF Ryan Klesko, .291 BA, 9 HR, 66 RBIs in 2004
6. 3B Sean Burroughs, .298 BA, 2 HR, 47 RBIs in 2004
7. C Ramon Hernandez, .276 BA, 18 HR, 63 RBIs in 2004
8. SS Khalil Greene, .273 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBIs in 2004 Projected rotation
1. Woody Williams, 11-8, 4.18 ERA in 2004
2. Jake Peavy, 15-6, 2.27 ERA in 2004
3. Brian Lawrence, 15-14, 4.12 ERA in 2004
4. Adam Eaton, 11-14, 4.61 ERA in 2004
5. Darrell May, 9-19, 5.61 ERA in 2004 Projected bullpen
Closer: Trevor Hoffman, 41 saves, 2.30 ERA in 2004
RH setup man: Akinori Otsuka, 1.75 ERA in 2004
RH setup man: Scott Linebrink, 2.14 ERA in 2004 The new guys
Williams: The veteran right-hander was signed to a free agent deal on the eve of the Winter Meetings. He'll be the designated mentor to the staff. Roberts: The center fielder came over from the Red Sox in a deal that sent Jay Payton and Ramon Vazquez. Roberts will bat leadoff. May: The left-hander was acquired along with right-handed reliever Ryan Bukvich from the Royals for Terrence Long and Dennis Tankersley. May is the leading candidate for the No. 5 starter. Eric Young: Young signed as a free agent and will back up Loretta at second and play some outfield while also adding speed to the bench.
Burroughs: The third baseman underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee in September, but will be ready for spring. Greene: Like Burroughs, Greene missed the last couple of weeks to injury. His broken right index finger is 100 percent. On the rebound
Klesko: It took half of last season for Klesko to feel healthy after surgery to his right shoulder in 2003. With a strong offseason, Klesko should be in better shape than he has been in three years. Burroughs: With just two homers and 23 doubles, Burroughs' game became one-dimensional. A move down in the batting order should help him be aggressive. Long gone
David Wells: He brought swagger and legitimacy last season while showing a propensity for the big game, but in 2005, Wells will be pitching in Boston. Payton: The one-time center fielder will also ply his trade in Boston next season, a year after failing to hit a homer at home. Long: The Padres' leading pinch-hitter and reserve outfielder is back in the American League. 2004 hitting leaders
(min. 200 at-bats)
Avg.: Loretta, .335
OBP: Klesko, .399
SLG: Loretta, .495
Runs: Loretta, 108
RBIs: Nevin, 105
Hits: Loretta, 208
2B: Loretta, 47
3B: Giles, 7
HR: Nevin, 26
SB: Kerry Robinson, 11 2004 pitching leaders
(min. 30 IP)
IP: Lawrence, 203
W: Peavy/Lawrence, 15
L: Lawrence/Eaton, 14
Win %: Akinori Otsuka, 7-2, .778
S: Hoffman, 41
ERA: Otsuka, 1.75
K: Peavy, 173
K/9: Otsuka, 10.13
WHIP: Hoffman, 0.91
Triple play: Three questions that need answers
1. Will Roberts be the answer at the top of the batting order?
The Padres found they needed speed more than power at PETCO Park. With Roberts disrupting the basepaths, the bats should see a rebound at home. 2. Can Williams replace Boomer?
The affable Williams will provide a calmer presence in the clubhouse and will be a steady worker, capable of matching Wells' win totals. 3. Does Greene suffer a sophomore slump?
The shortstop made a run at the Rookie of the Year award before injuring his finger. His work ethic and ability to maintain an even-keel will keep his career on the ascent. The bottom line
The Padres got nine wins out of the fifth spot in the rotation through July, but none over the last two months of the season and finished six games out. They need to settle the No. 5 slot to make a run at the division.
87-75, 3rd place, NL West Projected batting order
1. CF Dave Roberts, .254 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBIs in 2004
2. 2B Mark Loretta, .335 BA, 16 HR, 76 RBIs in 2004
3. RF Brian Giles, .284 BA, 23 HR, 94 RBIs in 2004
4. 1B Phil Nevin, .289 BA, 26 HR, 105 RBIs in 2004
5. LF Ryan Klesko, .291 BA, 9 HR, 66 RBIs in 2004
6. 3B Sean Burroughs, .298 BA, 2 HR, 47 RBIs in 2004
7. C Ramon Hernandez, .276 BA, 18 HR, 63 RBIs in 2004
8. SS Khalil Greene, .273 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBIs in 2004 Projected rotation
1. Woody Williams, 11-8, 4.18 ERA in 2004
2. Jake Peavy, 15-6, 2.27 ERA in 2004
3. Brian Lawrence, 15-14, 4.12 ERA in 2004
4. Adam Eaton, 11-14, 4.61 ERA in 2004
5. Darrell May, 9-19, 5.61 ERA in 2004 Projected bullpen
Closer: Trevor Hoffman, 41 saves, 2.30 ERA in 2004
RH setup man: Akinori Otsuka, 1.75 ERA in 2004
RH setup man: Scott Linebrink, 2.14 ERA in 2004 The new guys
Williams: The veteran right-hander was signed to a free agent deal on the eve of the Winter Meetings. He'll be the designated mentor to the staff. Roberts: The center fielder came over from the Red Sox in a deal that sent Jay Payton and Ramon Vazquez. Roberts will bat leadoff. May: The left-hander was acquired along with right-handed reliever Ryan Bukvich from the Royals for Terrence Long and Dennis Tankersley. May is the leading candidate for the No. 5 starter. Eric Young: Young signed as a free agent and will back up Loretta at second and play some outfield while also adding speed to the bench.
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Prospects to watch
Xavier Nady: A right-handed slugger with power to all fields, Nady will be the fourth outfielder and should see plenty of action.
Burroughs: The third baseman underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee in September, but will be ready for spring. Greene: Like Burroughs, Greene missed the last couple of weeks to injury. His broken right index finger is 100 percent. On the rebound
Klesko: It took half of last season for Klesko to feel healthy after surgery to his right shoulder in 2003. With a strong offseason, Klesko should be in better shape than he has been in three years. Burroughs: With just two homers and 23 doubles, Burroughs' game became one-dimensional. A move down in the batting order should help him be aggressive. Long gone
David Wells: He brought swagger and legitimacy last season while showing a propensity for the big game, but in 2005, Wells will be pitching in Boston. Payton: The one-time center fielder will also ply his trade in Boston next season, a year after failing to hit a homer at home. Long: The Padres' leading pinch-hitter and reserve outfielder is back in the American League. 2004 hitting leaders
(min. 200 at-bats)
Avg.: Loretta, .335
OBP: Klesko, .399
SLG: Loretta, .495
Runs: Loretta, 108
RBIs: Nevin, 105
Hits: Loretta, 208
2B: Loretta, 47
3B: Giles, 7
HR: Nevin, 26
SB: Kerry Robinson, 11 2004 pitching leaders
(min. 30 IP)
IP: Lawrence, 203
W: Peavy/Lawrence, 15
L: Lawrence/Eaton, 14
Win %: Akinori Otsuka, 7-2, .778
S: Hoffman, 41
ERA: Otsuka, 1.75
K: Peavy, 173
K/9: Otsuka, 10.13
WHIP: Hoffman, 0.91
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MLB.com POLL
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1. Will Roberts be the answer at the top of the batting order?
The Padres found they needed speed more than power at PETCO Park. With Roberts disrupting the basepaths, the bats should see a rebound at home. 2. Can Williams replace Boomer?
The affable Williams will provide a calmer presence in the clubhouse and will be a steady worker, capable of matching Wells' win totals. 3. Does Greene suffer a sophomore slump?
The shortstop made a run at the Rookie of the Year award before injuring his finger. His work ethic and ability to maintain an even-keel will keep his career on the ascent. The bottom line
The Padres got nine wins out of the fifth spot in the rotation through July, but none over the last two months of the season and finished six games out. They need to settle the No. 5 slot to make a run at the division.
Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
