Sleepers: San Diego Padres
By Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Chase Headley – Outfield (LF)
Is this the year that Headley will turn in the performance worthy of all the previous years’ buzz? He’ll certainly get the opportunity to put it all out there, as the Padres appear willing to allow Headley to etch his name in, as the starting left-fielder heading into the season. After a brief cup of coffee in 2007, where Headley looked extremely conservative at the dish, and out of place at the hot corner, the 24-year old looked much more comfortable in the 91 appearances of his 2008 campaign.
The switch-hitting prospect ended up batting a mediocre 34-.269-9-38-4 in 331 AB’s, which didn’t set the world ablaze with excitement. If there is anything that Headley should work on, it is his plate discipline, as his 104 K’s display (3.18AB/K) should indicate.
This could be a sign of him being a little over-anxious, as his past success in the minor leagues, and in college, didn’t expose such an inflated rate (4.31AB/K in 4+ seasons prior).
What shot Headley up the prospect charts, was his incredible consistency throughout his college and minor league career. He can hit for average (.301), has decent power (27.6AB/HR) and knocks in runs at a respectable pace (60RBI/100GP), while maintaining a .500 SLG and a .900 OPS. Once again, nothing out of this world, but he didn’t seem to go through month long slumps and streaks.
He is the type of player that can hit his way out of a drought, and have a 2-for-3 day, after going 0-for-4. With San Diego having a different approach, where they are seemingly willing to dump off salaries for youth, it appears that Headley will be given the chance to string together a full 162 game schedule facing major league talent. We at WaiverSharks.com are excited about what that opportunity will bring, and think that a late flier on this Colorado kid could pay some dividends.
The Deep
Kyle Blanks – First Base
Blocked from advancement by Padres’ all-star Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Blanks' path to the major league ranks may be held back a year or two. With that being said, the 22-year old native of Sellersville, PA will have the opportunity to assault AAA pitchers for a full season, sticking with the Portland Beavers as their everyday first baseman.
The big 6’-6” 270+-pounder has literally been destroying the lower minor league system to this point, seemingly getting better as each season moves forward. His continued growth may make it desirable to have him shift positions, possibly to an outfield spot (groomed for when 38-year old Brian Giles moves on), which would give the Pads’ a way to get another potent bat into their anemic offense.
The most common quote on his skills is that you are surprised watching such a big man, how great of an athlete he is. He moves well, and has some speed on the basepaths.
With the last two seasons lines being almost carbon copies of each other, 2007: 94-.301-24-100-11 (High A-Lake Elsinore), 2008 75-.325-20-107-5 (AA-San Antonio) in what many consider a “tough” park to hit in, a move to PetCo wouldn’t necessarily alter those phenomenal stats.
Nicknamed “Gigantor”, Blanks has done everything necessary to make the Padres take notice, and now that he has their attention, it’s up to them what they will do with him. One way or the other, they’ve got a very tough decision ahead of them, as he is killing the ball in spring training. In his 44 AB’s, Blanks has already launched 3 HR’s, is batting .334 and has impressive peripherals to top it all of, as he has a .434 OBP and a .636 SLG. Can you say "opening day roster"? I still say that it is a long shot; however, you can only hold back on numbers like that for so long.
