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Q&A with Padres Prospect Joe Wieland

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Joe Wieland came to the Padres along with Robbie Erlin in the July 31st trade that sent Mike Adams to the Texas Rangers.  Wieland finished 2011 fifth in all of the minors with a 1.97 ERA and is headed to Spring Training with an eye on making his way to San Diego sometime in 2012.  You can follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm W L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2008 Rangers 5 1 1.44 13 7 0 0 43.2 32 8 7 2 8 41 0.916 6.6 0.4 1.6 8.5 5.13
2009 Hickory 4 6 5.31 19 18 0 0 83.0 102 67 49 7 24 73 1.518 11.1 0.8 2.6 7.9 3.04
2010 Hickory 7 4 3.34 15 15 2 1 89.0 84 36 33 4 15 71 1.112 8.5 0.4 1.5 7.2 4.73
2010 Bakersfield 4 3 5.19 11 10 0 0 59.0 67 36 34 6 10 62 1.305 10.2 0.9 1.5 9.5 6.20
2011 Myrtle Beach 6 3 2.10 14 13 1 1 85.2 78 23 20 7 4 96 0.957 8.2 0.7 0.4 10.1 24.00
2011 Frisco 4 0 1.23 7 7 1 1 44.0 35 9 6 2 11 36 1.045 7.2 0.4 2.2 7.4 3.27
2011 San Antonio 3 1 2.77 5 5 0 0 26.0 23 10 8 0 6 18 1.115 8.0 0.0 2.1 6.2 3.00
4 Seasons 33 18 3.28 84 75 4 3 430.1 421 189 157 28 78 397 1.160 8.8 0.6 1.6 8.3 5.09

You went through an experience this year few top prospects go through. What was it like switching organizations in the middle of the season?

It definitely was a different experience, especially with everything that had happened two days prior* to the trade. It kind of was like my first day of pro ball all over again. I had to learn everyone’s names, adjust to the new surroundings, and get settled in. I couldn’t have been more happy with everything that happened though.

*Wieland threw a no hitter against the Padres’ Double-A affiliate he would later pitch for two days before being traded

Your name was at or near the top of just about every leader board this season, what clicked in 2011 to help you take your game to the next level? Continue reading “Q&A with Padres Prospect Joe Wieland” »

Q&A with Padres Prospect Cory Spangenberg

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (2 Comments)

Cory Spangenberg was drafted by the Padres in the first round (9th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft.  After quickly signing, Spangenberg began his season with the Eugene Emeralds where he reached base more often than not before receiving a promotion to Fort Wayne.  Spangenberg is preparing himself to head to Arizona this spring with his sights set on returning to the Tincaps to start the 2012 season.  You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm G PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2011 Eugene 25 121 20 33 10 0 1 20 10 4 31 15 .384 .545 .535 1.080
2011 Fort Wayne 47 209 35 54 7 1 2 24 15 4 14 42 .286 .345 .365 .710
1 Season 72 330 55 87 17 1 3 44 25 8 45 57 .316 .419 .418 .837

In the last year you went from playing baseball at a Community College in Florida to being taken in the first round of the 2011 Draft, what has this ride been like for you? Continue reading “Q&A with Padres Prospect Cory Spangenberg” »

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Q&A with Padres Prospect Casey McElroy

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Casey McElroy was drafted by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. After successfully navigating the college-heavy Northwest League, Casey headed to the Dominican Republic to try his hand behind the plate.  We caught up with Casey as he prepares to head to his first Spring Training as a professional baseball player. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2011 ARIZ 5 21 19 0 5 2 0 0 3 1 9 .263 .300 .368 .668
2011 NORW 19 84 73 11 22 6 0 2 11 10 13 .301 .381 .466 .847
1 Season 24 105 92 11 27 8 0 2 14 11 22 .293 .365 .446 .811

You had a pretty eventful 2011. What was it like to go from playing college baseball at Auburn to pro ball with other new draft picks in the Rookie Leagues? Continue reading “Q&A with Padres Prospect Casey McElroy” »

Q&A with Baseball America Associate Editor Matt Eddy

Posted by Jeff in AZL Padres | Eugene Emeralds | Fort Wayne Tin Caps | Lake Elsinore Storm | Player Update | Q&A | San Antonio Missions | Trades | Tucson Padres - (0 Comments)

Matt Eddy is an Associate Editor at Baseball America who has covered the Padres’ minor league system since the 2006 off season.  He was kind enough to chat with us about BA’s recently released Padres Top 10 Prospect list.  You can also see full writeups on the Padres’ Top 30 prospects in BA’s Prospect Handbook.  Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter.

Where would the prospects acquired in the Mat Latos trade rank in the Padres’ farm system?

The Mat Latos trade with the Reds changed the Padres prospect landscape. San Diego can plug in first baseman Yonder Alonso at first base right away, and he fits with the organization’s emphasis on on-base skills and a line-to-line hitting approach—particularly when it comes to lefty bats like Alonso. He would challenge Anthony Rizzo for top prospect in the system honors.

Catcher Yasmani Grandal will spend the bulk of 2012 in Triple-A if all goes according to plan, though he could share time with either Nick Hundley or John Baker in 2013. Catchers who provide offensive value are so rare that Grandal might slot in at No. 5 on our list, after Cory Spangenberg and ahead of Austin Hedges.

Right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger probably would not crack the Top 10, though like Alonso he is big league-ready.

Who are the prospects in your Top 10 who scouts continually gave glowing reviews? Continue reading “Q&A with Baseball America Associate Editor Matt Eddy” »

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Q&A with Padres Pitching Prospect Brad Boxberger

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

Brad Boxberger came to the Padres this offseason in the trade that sent Mat Latos to the Reds.  Drafted in the first round (43rd overall) of the 2009 MLB Draft out of USC, Boxberger split time in 2010 as a starter and reliever before making the full time conversion this season to the bullpen.  You can also follow him on Twitter.

Via BBref:

Year Tm Lev W L ERA G GS GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2010 Lynchburg A+ 4 6 3.19 14 13 0 0 62.0 57 30 22 3 20 70 1.242 8.3 0.4 2.9 10.2 3.50
2010 Carolina AA 1 4 8.49 22 0 6 0 29.2 35 28 28 4 22 40 1.921 10.6 1.2 6.7 12.1 1.82
2011 Carolina AA 1 2 1.31 30 0 22 4 34.1 16 5 5 2 13 57 0.845 4.2 0.5 3.4 14.9 4.38
2011 Louisville AAA 1 2 2.93 25 0 12 7 27.2 16 10 9 2 15 36 1.120 5.2 0.7 4.9 11.7 2.40
2 Seasons 7 14 3.75 91 13 40 11 153.2 124 73 64 11 70 203 1.262 7.3 0.6 4.1 11.9 2.9

2011 was your first season as a full time reliever. Do you feel like you are fully used to your new role? How has your daily routine changed? Continue reading “Q&A with Padres Pitching Prospect Brad Boxberger” »

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Q&A with Reds Prospect Writer Doug Gray

Posted by Jeff in Player Update | Q&A - (0 Comments)

As you no doubt have heard by now, the Padres traded Mat Latos to the Reds on Saturday for a four-player package.  Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com was kind enough to answer a few questions from the Reds’ perspective.

What was your first reaction to hearing the final trade package?

My first reaction was a little different from my overall reaction, but at the end of the day I liked the deal for the Reds. My first reaction was that I am a huge fan of Latos, but that was a decent chunk of talent. My final reaction was similar. I think that both teams did well.

If another team were to have traded all of those pieces, I would say that they made a mistake even though Latos is a borderline ace-caliber pitcher today. But the Reds have the depth to make up for the guys they moved with their first base, catcher and left field options. Assuming that Latos can stay healthy and perform similar to what everyone thinks he is capable of, I think both teams can look back at this trade in 5-6 years and be very happy with it.

In your mind, who is the best prospect the Padres are receiving in return? Continue reading “Q&A with Reds Prospect Writer Doug Gray” »

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