From: kprashan@sdcc3.ucsd.edu (hyderabadi)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: San Diego Padres preseaon report
Date: 7 Apr 92 17:19:24 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego


SAN DIEGO PADRES preseason report (almost):

After finishing a respectable 3rd in the NLWest last year, the Padres
have not been given any chance this season by all the 'expert' 
prognosticators in baseball/sports journalists. Even the SD fans
would be surprised and happy with a contender. I personally see a
2nd place finish in a best-case scenario. In any other division, I
would have given them a chance, not so in the NLWest.

The rest of the division shapes up to be strong, except maybe
Houston.

- The Reds helped themselves immensely in the off-season, 
but will the Dibble injury cost them some important early games?

- The Dodgers have a potent out-field on paper, but I have my doubts
about Eric Davis. The infield may not be as bad as it is made out to
be, but it is not as good as the other infields in the div. The
pitching is suspect right now. Martinez has lost it since last July,
Candiotti can be run on, Ojeda is ok, Hershiser is the ace right
now... 

- The Braves may find it hard to get the same run production as they
got last year. But they are bound to be in the race till the end.

- The Giants puzzle me. I have no feel for the club at all. It all
depends if they can get good pitching out of their youngsters w/out
putting them constantly on the DL.

- The Astros...naaaaah


SD Padres roster (courtesy: Nelson Lu)

Pitchers:	Andy Benes, Pat Clements, Dave Eiland, Greg W. Harris,
		Jeremy Hernandez, Bruce Hurst, Craig Lefferts, Mike Maddux,
		Jose Melendez, Randy Myers, Rich Rodriguez
Catchers:	Dann Bilardello, Benito Santiago
Infielders:	Tony Fernandez, Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield, Craig Shipley,
		Kurt Stillwell, Tim Teufel
Outfielders:	Oscar Azocar, Jerald Clark, Tony Gwynn, Thomas Howard,
		Darrin Jackson, Kevin Ward
Disabled:	RHP Larry Andersen, RHP Ed Whitson


PITCHING: 3 good starters in Hurst, Benes and Harris. 
But then what else? Lefferts is the #4
starter.. hohoho.. this guy couldn't go 2 inns last year w/out
giving up a homer (Padres pitchers are very good in giving up
HRs). And he is the 4th starters? Whitson's injury seems to be
career ending, too bad. This guy was arguably the best pitcher
in the NL 2 years ago. Eiland is the #5 starter. But they do
have some good young pitchers to plug holes in case somebody
is injured or stinks. 

Solid relief pitching, setup: Maddux & Melendez (RHPs), Clements
& Rodriguez (LHPs). Closer: Myers. Jeremy Hernandez is a good
prospect, and will be worked in slowly as the season goes along.

INFIELD: 1b McGriff, 2b Stillwell, 3b Sheffield, ss Fernandez,
c Santiago. The rest will be pinch-hitters/spot-starters.
Defensively, this group is excellent, but can Sheffield hit? 
Will Santiago keep crying about his poverty? will he be traded? 

OUTFIELD: lf Clark, cf Jackson, rf Gwynn. Defensively, Clark is
the weakest of the 3, but he is there for his hitting. He has some
pop and potential. SD has been very patient with him. He started
off well at the beginning of last season, but was hurt for a long
time. Jackson was the surprise of the 1991 season. 21 HRs is not bad
at all, and has started off well this season. The only question is
his ability against RHPs. Expect Howard to see a lot of action.


LINEUP (probable):

Fernandez
Gwynn
Sheffield
McGriff
Santiago
Jackson
Clark
Stillwell
pitcher


The hole created at the top of the order by the departure of Bip
Roberts is indeed going to be felt. This lineup has little speed
(Fernandez & Gwynn will run a little), and expect their best SB
threat Howard to be used often. Putting Sheffield in between Gwynn
& McGriff may get him to see some good pitches, but then he may
end killing rallies.. who knows.


MANAGER:

Many are predicting Riddoch will be the 1st manager to be fired 
this season. He had his good days and bad days on the field 
last year (most notably a suicide squeeze by Benes with the bases
loaded). Despite the injuries the team suffered last year, they
finished 3rd, and they decided to give him a second shot.


ALL-STAR GAME:

SD hosts the all-star game this year. All that I will say is,
game is not on astro-turf and there will be no rain. There is
no Cafe inside the stadium, but if you want sushi and very
laid-back fans, this is the place to be.




Go Padres..

__________________________________________________________
| Prashanth                    |                         |
| U. of California @ San Diego | prash@bhaskara.ucsd.edu |
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