Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 30, 2015

Win, win, win…same ol’ story for these Padres, eh?  LOVE IT!!! It’s only spring training, trust me I know, but still when you see bat speed flying through the zone and crushing balls like the Friars did three more times today in taking down the Red 6-3, you can’t help but to get excited.

Here were some of the highlights of the day.

• Ian Kennedy – Yes we will talk about the long ball in a minute, but first let’s give the appropriate props to the Pads number four starter for an excellent 6 shutout innings today.  Ian used the entire repertoire today but probably didn’t really need to.  His fastball had all kinds of late explosive life on it as he peppered the corners with it all afternoon.  I’ve not seen that many “excuse me”, “emergency”, “get off me”, check swings on inside fastballs in a long time.  His best complimentary pitch appeared to be his changeup which he was also locating effectively away to both the righties and the lefties.  He also chimed in a with a base hit and scored later on one of the HR’s.  Looked ready to make his first regular season start which is penciling out to be the home opener on April 9th vs. the Giants.
• Matt Kemp – Ok, chicks, now for the long ball talk that you love. I mentioned bat speed above, and  Kemp showed once again his is ready for opening day.  He just barely fouled off on the previous pitch a fast ball up and away, but the pitcher decided coming hard on his hands would be a good idea to go with next…uh-uh, bad idea! Kemp said “Son, get that $%&# outta here”, got the head out and rocketed the offering over the left field fence for his fourth long ball of the spring to drive in RBIs 12 and 13.  Bat speed…there is no substitute, and he has it. He also showed off the arm today firing a perfect strike to home on a potential sac-fly hit to him in right field. He has played all spring with an intensity like it’s the regular season – great tone setter!
• Clint Barmes – Clint  hopped on the long ball band wagon today and jumped ship for the first time this spring to drive in his 3rd RBI in the last two games. A no doubter to left. Way to check in CB!
• Yangervis Solarte – Imagine a ball player swinging as hard as he possible could, and making perfect contact on a hard heater up in the zone…  Hear that sound?  See the cannon like launch angle of the ball as it shoots out towards the distance? That is what Solarte’s first HR of the spring was like to day.  The epitome of a no-doubter launched from the left side over the right field fence for a 3-run Johnson.  It’s always funner to talk about when it’s your guy doing the crushing isn’t it? He’s had a super solid spring all around and I will be absolutely stunned if he doesn’t make the club as the primary utility player.

Of particular note with regards to players moves today would be of course the trade of LHP Alex Torres to the Mets in exchange for minor league RHP Cory Mazzoni, and a PTBNL.  Considering Torres’ challenges against LHBs last season, and the effective springs so far of both Garces and Rearick it’s not a huge surprise that this move was made.  There are still a lot of difficult decisions to be made regarding the construction of the Friar bullpen for opening day, but at least one of the questions has been answered.  Mazzoni for his part will start at EL Paso and continue his development as a starter.

Tomorrow the Pads will take on the Royals at Peoria for a game under the lights starting at 7:05, with Morrow going for the Friars. Hope you’ll join Uncle Teddy and myself for all the action on the Mighty 1090!

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