San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
FIRST GAME WASHED AWAY
Last year, Fernando Tatis Jr. didn't find himself in a Cactus League lineup until Game 2. Eric Hosmer's debut arrived three days later. Manny Machado, who wasn't even introduced as a Padre until a day before spring training games began last year, didn't work his way into the lineup until Game 8.
Only a rare rainy day here Saturday kept that trio — and several other projected starters — from making their 2020 debuts in the Cactus League opener against their complex-mates, the Seattle Mariners. The game was not rescheduled.
“I think it's a credit to the guys coming in, coming in ready to go and ready to play,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said roughly an hour before the opener was canceled. “It's a credit to the strength and conditioning staff, the coaching staff, but most importantly, I think the players wanted to go.”
That was certainly the consensus as Tingler queried players in the days leading into the opener. Although position players weren't scheduled to report until Feb. 17, many arrived much sooner. The infield group, in particular, wanted to get a head start on growing their on-field chemistry after working exhaustively with bench coach Bobby Dickerson.
Thus, Tatis was slated as the leadoff hitter and shortstop, Machado was in the three-hole and at third base, Hosmer was hitting fourth and playing first and newcomer Jurickson Profar was hitting sixth and at second base.
“Speaking from the infield point of view,” Hosmer said. “I know a lot of us do want to get out on the field together and get used to playing with each other. Just get as many reps as we can. We figured we'd start right away.”
One infielder may have been more eager than others: Tatis hasn't played a game since a back injury sent him to the injured list in mid-august.
“(Tingler) asked and I said (I wanted to play) right away,” Tatis said. “We're guys on a mission. So everybody is ready to play. … I'm anxious to get back on the field.”
The initial lineup even included Tommy Pham (UCL) in the two-hole as a designated hitter. His throwing progression — he threw on the field for the fifth time during a break in the rain — has him targeted to play in the outfield in mid-march.
The rest of Tingler's first Cactus League opener lineup included Francisco Mejia batting fifth and playing catcher, Josh Naylor batting seventh and in right field, followed by Abraham Almonte in center field and Franchy Cordero playing left.
Today's lineup, however, will look quite a bit different as the Padres planned an entirely different roster for the road game at the Brewers' complex in Phoenix. Tingler said Saturday's rainout would not change the plans for today's lineup.
Minors stirring to life
Fifty of the Padres' youngest minor league prospects have reported for the start of mini-camp. The notables on that roster include 2019 first-rounder CJ Abrams, second-rounder Joshua Mears and thirdrounder Hudson Head. Abrams is ranked No. 22 in Mlb.com's top-100 prospect list and fourth overall in the organization, while Head is ranked No. 20 in the organization and Mears is ranked 29th.
Two of their top signees from the 2019-20 international class — shortstop
Reginald Preciado (No. 22 on Mlb.com's Padres prospects list) and righthander Brayan Medina — are also participating. Other top-30 prospects on the roster include left-hander Ryan Weathers (No. 7), outfielder
Tirso Ornelas (No. 11), infielder Tucupita Marcano (No. 12), left-hander Joey Cantillo (No. 15), infielder
Esteury Ruiz (No. 18), outfielder Jeisson Rosario (No. 19), catcher Blake Hunt (No. 25) and right-hander Mason Thompson (No. 26).
Minor league pitchers and catchers will begin work March 7, with the first fullsquad minor league workout at the Peoria Sports Complex scheduled for March 10. Minor league games on backfields will begin March 19, with camp breaking April 4.
Notable
At least three of Saturday's scheduled pitchers — Cal Quantrill, Michel Baez and Javy Guerra — will be folded back into the rotation beginning Monday. Quantrill, protected from the rain by the overhang at the complex bullpen, threw a short side session just after it was announced that the game was canceled. He could start as soon as Monday in Surprise, against the Royals.