San Diego Padres Roster
- NL West
- Stadium
- PETCO Park
With the expanded 30-man rosters in 2020, the glimmering chance for San Diego Padres hyped-prospect starters MacKenzie Gore (MLBs No. 5 prospect) and Luis Patino (No. 27) to crack the team are brightening. Manager Jayce Tingler confirmed the youngsters are competing for roles, including potential relief opportunities. However, both prospects are building up as starters and the Friars rotation is already crowded at six. Both arms will face Padres major-leaguers nightly to test their mettle, and if they dominate, the team may be forced to leverage their talent amidst a playoff run. A reasonable projection is for both to make intermittent appearances this season, rendering their fantasy contributions highly uncertain. Both drafted outside the top 300, Gore and Patino are late-round fliers for managers keen on avoiding the waiver frenzy once their inevitable debut is announced.
San Diego Padres outfielder Josh Naylor is seeing action at first base early in summer camp. Expected to compete for at-bats with outfielders Wil Myers and Franchy Cordero, reps at first could improve his playing prospects. Naylor debuted with a modest 89 wRC+ in 2019, launching eight homers in 279 plate appearances. Possessing strong plate discipline, the 23-year-old needs to tap into more power to overcome his defensive deficiencies. Currently drafted outside the top-700, Naylor isnt a factor in standard leagues but could have waiver-wire appeal during the season if he performs.
After a down campaign in 2019, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is determined to reemerge as one of baseballs top talents. Despite 32 homers, the 27-year-old posted a modest 108 wRC+ in his first season with the Friars. The daunting confines of Petco Park likely contributed, but Machado registered just a .755 OPS in the second half as the Padres whimpered to the finish. Leading by example during the prolonged shutdown, Machado has improved his diet and kept a steady workout regimen. A model of durability, he has registered more plate appearances in the past five years than any other player. Surrounded with decent weapons, Machado is poised for a bounce back season if he stays focused. With an ADP of 59, Machado holds solid value as a former premier third baseman.
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack asserted that he hasnt lost any momentum since the cancellation of spring training. The 24-year-old will go four frames in his next start and expects to hit six innings once the season begins. Paddack burst on the scene in 2019 with a stellar 3.33 ERA (3.95 FIP), 0.98 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 in 140 2/3 innings. Expected to be the Friars ace in his second year, Paddacks ADP has risen to 55 as a high-end SP2. With the shortened season, Paddacks innings wont be an issue which bolsters his value. For fantasy managers looking for upside, Paddacks your guy.
San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates is not in summer camp due to a non-COVID-related family issue, according to general manager A.J. Preller. Yates is likely to report to San Diego later this weekend and go through the subsequent testing protocols. The 33-year-old right-handed reliever was lights-out for the Friars as a first-time All-Star, posting a 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15.0 K/9 and career-high 41 saves in 60 2/3 frames. Heading into the shortened 2020 season as the team's unquestioned ninth-inning man for a Padres squad that could contend for a postseason spot, Yates is easily a top-three fantasy reliever. The numbers might not be quite as good, especially in a 60-game season, but Yates is pretty safe as an elite fantasy closer.