Padres Press Clips Sunday, March 3, 2019

Article Source Author Pg. Margevicius strong again as Padres beat Giants in Machado’s debut SD Union Tribune Acee 2

After debut, Machado says Padres can win, lobbies for Tatis SD Union Tribune Acee 3

Manny Machado finds a welcoming family with Padres SD Union Tribune Acee 6

Padres notes: ‘vicius lefty has a shot; Joey busts a nose; Gold infield SD Union Tribune Acee 14

Machado makes SD debut, ready to win in ’19 MLB.com Haft 18

Andy’s Address, 3/2 FriarWire Center 19

Today in Peoria: 3/2 FriarWire Lafferty 22

#PadresOnDeck: MLB Pipeline Crowns Padres as No1 Farm System FriarWire Center 24

Machado makes quiet Padres debut in Cactus League game Associated Press Staff 26

2019 Season Preview: changes everything Yahoo Sports Staff 28

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Margevicius strong again as Padres beat Giants in Machado's debut

Kevin Acee, SD Union Tribune

Score: Padres 7, Giants 6

Batter’s box: Manny Machado popped out to second and walked in his debut. … Ian Kinsler’s bases-loaded drove in three runs in the second inning. … started that four-run inning with a single that scored Francisco Mejia, who had doubled. … Mejia is 5-for-12, and his .417 average trails only Ty France (.500, 5-for-10) among Padres hitters. ...

Hudson Potts hit his first of the spring off the batters’ eye in straightaway center.

Balls and strikes: followed up his two hitless innings Tuesday with three strong innings at the start Saturday. The 22-year-old left-hander allowed single in the first inning and a one-out solo home run in the second. He retired the final five batters he faced. … Left-handed reliever Aaron Loup pitched a perfect fourth in his Padres debut. … Phil Maton struck out all three batters he faced in his first game of the spring.

Extra bases: Hunter Renfroe’s running catch at the wall robbed former Padre Yangervis Solarte of extra bases and ended the third inning.

On Deck: ’s second start comes against the Rangers in Surprise, Ariz., 12:05 p.m. PT. Robbie Erlin will also make his second appearance and Kirby Yates his first of the spring.

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After debut, Machado says Padres can win, lobbies for Tatis

Kevin Acee, Contact Reporter

Manny Machado made his Padres spring trainingdebut Saturday playing alongside the future, and then he suggested it should come sooner than later for his new team.

“I see the talent,” he said after getting to the plate twice and playing three uneventful half-innings at third base. “The guys are hungry here. They see the organization is putting their foot forward on taking this organization to the next level. All you need is confidence in this game. I think our organization has put that foot forward and given the guys a lot more confidence to go out there and know that this is not going to be a losing situation.

“We’re going to try to win – maybe not the division, but we’re going to fight for a wild card spot, and you never know what can happen in a baseball. … We could (win the West). I’m not saying we can’t. But (the Dodgers) are a great team. They’ve won the division the last six years. … If we all stick together and get on the same game plan, we can be dangerous.”

The Padres scored four runs in the second inning and beat the Giants 7-6. The last of five hits that inning was a double by Ian Kinsler that preceded Machado’s walk in his second-and-last plate appearance of the abbreviated first day.

“We can play,” he said. “We’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

The four-time Gold Glove winner did not get a ball hit to him at third base. He batted in the first two innings, popping out to former Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte at second base in the first and walking in the second. Hudson Potts replaced Machado at third base to start the fourth.

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Machado’s debut came eight days after he officially signed his 10-year, $300 million contract, exactly one week after his first full workout here and a couple days before the Padres initially planned. Machado has been getting some extra work as he got closer to playing, even batting in intrasquad scrimmages the previous couple days, and he lobbied to play Saturday.

“It’s been good getting to know my teammates, getting my feet under me,” Machado said. “It’s been a nice week. Gotten to know more players, finally getting out there to play some baseball makes it even better. It’s a lot different. You can never practice game speed.”

Asked about possibly playing , the position he has said he prefers and that he played last year, Machado instead lobbied for the inclusion of Fernando Tatis Jr. on the roster.

“Hopefully Tatis breaks camp with us and is our shortstop, and it’s going to be a hell of an infield we’re going to have,” Machado said. “He’s a baller. … He’s special kid.”

Told of the comments, manager was once again compelled to talk about the chances the organization’s top prospect – and the player considered by most to be among the top three prospects in baseball – will start the season in the majors.

“Every one of these guys still in camp has a chance to make the roster,” Green said. “In his case, he’s (had) a couple months above (Single-a) ball. He’s had two incredibly slow Aprils that unbelievable seasons followed. So there’s some context there that we’re going to factor into the conversation. … He’s a good baseball player. Everybody is aware of that, and we’re excited to have him. There’s going to be a time when he’s with us, and he’s got a chance throughout the rest of camp to make a case for opening day.”

The plan seems to have long been for Tatis, who went 1-for-3 Saturday and is 5-for-14 with two home runs this spring, to open the season in -A before being called up at some point in the season.

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Regardless, Machado’s debut and his embracing the successful future the franchise envisions continued continued a spring that has featured a different atmosphere around the Peoria Sports Complex.

Cheers as loud as any heard for any Padres player in some time at Peoria Stadium, went up when Machado’s name was announced pregame as part of the Padres lineup and again as he walked to the plate in the bottom of the first inning.

A group of fans surrounding the Padres dugout on two sides before the game cheered when he walked onto the field and into the dugout and when he re-emerged to jog in the outfield.

“It's awesome to finally come out here and see some love,” Machado said. “… It's going to be a special year for us, and I think (fans) are finally seeing it.”

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Manny Machado finds a welcoming family with Padres

Kevin Acee, SD Union Tribune

The silver Lamborghini sounds like it is ready for blastoff into space.

It belongs to Manny Machado, though, so it isn’t going anywhere but the rented home a few miles down the road.

To his wife and their dogs and to “El Señor de los Cielos” on Netflix.

“I only do it if it’s more four seasons,” Machado said of the base requirement for starting a series. “… All day, every day. Netflix is the first thing I turn on.”

The man who for the Padres launched a new era and a new attitude before he played a game — before he even arrived in their clubhouse — is a homebody.

“He’s a chill guy, simple,” said. “Very simple. … He’s home all day. He loves Netflix. He loves Apple TV. That’s all he does is watches his shows.”

The first thing Alonso, a for the , actually said when the topic of Machado was broached was, “No comment.”

Then he guardedly but passionately spoke about the man National League MVP called a “dirty player” and who is now the Padres’ new and the source of renewed interest and pride in San Diego’s only major sports franchise.

“He’s chill, man,” Alonso said. “He just wants to play baseball. You’ll never see him going out. He doesn’t want to do commercials or anything. He just wants to play baseball.”

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Alonso is biased, for sure. But that is because Machado earned it.

One of the things that sold the Padres on Macahado — made them willing to believe he was a good man when they had heard he might not be — was his relationship with Alonso.

Alonso played in San Diego from 2012 to ’15, at the start of this ownership group’s leadership.

They knew Alonso, knew his family and knew of their emigration from Cuba and the work ethic and character demanded by people who refused food stamps and worked multiple jobs.

What the Padres knew even before they began vetting Machado, the 26-year-old to whom they would commit $300 million, more than twice what the organization had ever given any player, was that anyone who earned their way into the Alonso family must have something going for him.

“You gotta be legit,” said Petey Suarez, a virtually lifelong family friend of Yonder and his sister, Yainee. “… Our parents are old-school Cubans. It’s a little different mentality, the way we were brought up.”

It took Machado two years to get a first date with Yainee.

“It was pretty tough,” Machado said.

They have been married a little more than four years.

Yainee gets up when her husband does at 5:30 a.m. during spring training. She goes on almost every road trip during the regular season, doesn’t miss a home game.

“She’s my sister, my best friend, she’s my everything,” Machado said. “She grinds as much as I grind.”

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Bringing the edge There are video montages on the Internet showing this family man doing some pretty NSFW stuff.

There is Machado crossing first base and dragging his foot to kick Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar in October’s National League Championship Series, the play that prompted Yelich’s assessment. There is Machado, a pitch after being brushed off the plate, swinging and then letting go of a bat that flew down the third base line. There is Machado, a couple days earlier, yelling at Josh Donaldsonafter being tagged out by the A’s third baseman. There are a few bench-clearing brawls in which Machado is at the center. And there is one rant after he was thrown at a half-dozen times in the span of a week by the Boston Red Soxthat in part went like this:

“If you're going to (expletive) hit me, go ahead, (expletive) hit me. You know, don't let (expletive) keep lingering around and (expletive) around. Keep (expletive) trying to hit people. That's (expletive) bull. MLB should do something about it. (Expletive) pitchers go out there with their (expletive) balls in their hand and throwing 100 mph trying to hit people. I got a (expletive) bat too. I can go up there and crush somebody if I wanted to, but you know what, I'll get suspended for the year and the pitcher will only get suspended for two games.”

Of these things, Machado has said he is embarrassed by some and has learned from them all.

“I learn from a lot of things,” he said this week. “I learned being a married man; I learn every day how to be a better husband. It’s the same thing in baseball. You learn on many things that life brings at you.”

Padres management, after talking to former coaches, managers, teammates and others around baseball and from Machado’s past, say Machado is still just 26 and point out he was as young as 21 when some of these things happened.

“I feel 100 percent confident in the work we did getting to know him,” Padres General Partner Peter Seidler said. “His authenticity — there is a lot about Manny that is a 1- on-1 guy. He may not be the most sophisticated in front of the big group, but in a

8 small group like the lunch we had with him, he’s so much fun. There is such a joy about him. … I have no doubt. Nobody has a crystal ball, but it’s one of those deals I feel so good about.”

The looks on the faces of Padres players said almost as much as their words when discussing aspects of Machado’s play.

It was elation, reverence and a touch of desperation.

A franchise that has never won a championship, has not been to the playoffs since 2006, has lost the second-most games in the major leagues since 2015 and last season lost 96 games, tied for the 10th worst of its 50 seasons, is ready to take on a new persona.

“We could use some edge and start bullying some people around — as we’ve been bullied for a long time,” Austin Hedges said. “… You can feel it when you face teams that have an edge. We haven’t had it, but I think now we just might.”

Machado has been described by almost a dozen of his new teammates in the same manner — as the guy you want on your team every day and that you absolutely cannot stand on the day he’s on the opposing team.

“He’s a Padre now,” Hedges said. “And whatever he ends up doing, if it pisses off the other team, we’ve got his back.”

Motivated by past What the Padres found out when they dug into what makes Machado tick and what motivates him and what he cherishes is just what they’re offering.

They believe they have the talent to win. They needed him. They wanted him. He would be included in something larger.

When Yainee and Manny found out that Seidler is a big kid and Executive Chairman is a wise uncle and that they and manager Andy Green talk about family and preach family and have made players’ families feel like part of their families, it meant something. 9

“Since day one when we met you we knew it was the right fit for me and my wife to be here,” Machado said as he glanced in the direction where Fowler, Seidler and Green were sitting at his introductory news conference on Feb. 22.

Alonso insists he did not insert himself into Machado’s free agency process.

“I didn’t say anything,” Alonso said. “I didn’t even find out he was in contact with the Padres until he signed. I didn’t want to know about it. I didn’t want anything to deviate his situation. I told him my side of being in Chicago, which is great. But I gave them their privacy. It’s not fair for him for me to step in. He knows I wanted him to play with me, but that’s not what happened.”

As Machado, who on Saturday made his spring training debut for the Padres (he went 0-for-1 with a walk), worked to learn more about the organization and the city, descriptions from years back were in the minds of him and his wife.

Suarez — known to everyone as Petey and fondly described by Machado and Alonso as their consigliere (and travel agent/chef/offseason batting practice pitcher) — was around Petco Park a lot while Alonso was with the Padres.

“We haven’t stopped thinking about San Diego,” Suarez said. “We told them we loved this city.”

Of course, it is not unusual for a player to talk about his new team feeling like family, welcoming him like family. And a lot of people would perhaps be compelled to embrace any family paying them $300 million.

But not everyone had a single mom who worked for a wholesale shoe company on weekdays, got home at 6 o’clock and drove her son to the batting cage and worked weekends cleaning toll booths so he could “go out and focus on baseball, go work as hard as I could … work a little harder to try to take her out of that. It motivated me.”

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Motivated by winning The Padres are sensitive about the impression they felt compelled to burrow exceptionally deep into Machado’s life for fear it will look like they thought he was a bad dude.

But, the fact is, they dug exceptionally deep into Machado’s life.

“We do a lot of homework on all our players,” General Manager A.J. Preller said. “… Obviously, when you’re talking about larger-dollar expenditures, you want to be thorough. You want to dig into a guy’s background. You want to understand their perspective and what motivates them.”

And for all the other things Machado values, Preller came to understand from his conversations with him that one thing mattered most.

“He kept talking about winning,” Preller said. “That’s what he kept coming back to in all the conversations — what’s the game plan? What‘s the time period? Who else is going to be there? What’s the system going to be like?”

Anyone paying attention when Machado speaks, even in a setting like a news conference in which he is being introduced to a new team and new fan base, can figure out how much he believes in himself.

“I’m a winner,” he said when asked what kind of player he was. “I’m a gamer.”

And for a guy who was slammed this past postseason for not running out a grounder and an ensuing interview in which he said he was not going to be “Johnny Hustle,” there is an awful lot of evidence that suggests he is, indeed, a “gamer.”

For one, he is one of just 13 major leaguers to have played all 162 games in any of the past four seasons. He is one of three to have done so twice in that span.

Given that he produces — his combined 23.2 WAR () ranks seventh in the majors over the past four seasons — the Padres were essentially unconcerned from the start about the level to which he hustled.

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And the team grew increasingly comfortable with the reality and reasons behind some of the other perceptions about his game.

They heard again and again from people in the organizations for which he played — Baltimore from 2012-18 and the Dodgers for the final two months of last season — that he had matured and was a favored teammate.

When Machado was traded last season, Orioles said he “broke down and cried.”

On the day news broke about the Machado signing, Dodgers infielder said, “I thought he was a good teammate. He was a good guy to be around. You could tell he likes playing baseball.”

Alonso shook his head and literally scoffed when asked about the publicity Machado’s exploits and comments have gotten.

“I don’t care,” he said. “I know who the guy is. I know his values. I know how he plays the game. Those things get overblown. I know who he is. He’s a ballplayer. He plays hard, he plays clean. I’ve known him forever.”

If you were from South and were part of the region’s baseball community, you started hearing about Machado more than a decade ago, when he was 16.

And if you are from , you have a predilection to understand Machado better than some.

Padres first baseman , whose youth team was legendary from coast to coast, said it wouldn’t take but watching “one Little League game” to see players doing whatever it took to win.

The baseball there is largely Hispanic, rich in talent and brimming with brashness.

At lunch the day before Machado officially signed his contract, Seidler was talking with Suarez and Machado about the latter’s style of play.

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“That’s the way we grew up playing baseball,” Suarez recalled telling the owner. “Some people call it arrogant. Some people call us cocky, but we are just out there to win. We don’t care who’s in front of us. We’re going to show you we’re better than you. It’s always a chip on your shoulder.”

Asked what he thinks when he sees some of the things Machado does on the field, Suarez said: “What? It’s not just him. There are a bunch of guys who are intense.”

Machado smiles at the mention of his roots. He has smiled a lot lately, and in a conversation in which he was thoughtful and considered his answers, he was never more animated than on the topic of where he played baseball at the start making him the baseball player he is now.

“We grew up with that swag,” said Machado, whose family is from the Dominican Republic. “I think it’s the Latin thing. … People always wanted to beat Miami kids. They always knew we were better than anybody else. When we came into their town, they wanted to beat be us. We always had the chip on our shoulder that we knew we were better than them. We had more swag than them, we were more talented.”

He laughs at the mention his new teammates are ready for some of that.

“I’ve seen it around the room now,” he said. “They’ve brought their swagger a little bit. That’s what San Diego needed.”

A little Miami in San Diego?

“Believe it.”

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Padres notes: 'vicius lefty has a shot; Joey busts a nose; Gold infield

Kevin Acee, SD Union Tribune

Left-hander Nick Margevicius, whose only start above Single-A was a seven-inning gem in the playoffs for Double-A San Antonio in September, continued to make a case for a Joey Lucchesi-type leap into the big leagues.

The 22-year-old allowed his first hits, including a home run, but once again showed the stuff and poise the Padres covet in three strong innings.

Margevicius got up 0-2 before a third straight fastball on a 2-2 pitch to Aramis Garcia got clobbered over the fence in center field with one out in the second inning. Margevicius struck out the next two batters and retired the Giants in order in the third.

“You feel good about a young kid who gives up a home run and gets right back up there and keeps pounding the strike zone,” manager Andy Green said. “You really want to see how a guy responds when he gets hit, and he responded really well.”

Striking out four while facing a split Giants squad Saturday was nowhere near the test Margevicius had in throwing two hitless innings against a Cubs lineup that featured many of its regulars. Margevicius held the Cubs without a hit on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to stop competing,” Margevicius said. “That’s really what I’m about. I’m going to attack the hitters. It doesn’t matter to me who’s in the box. I make a mistake, but you know what, I’m going to come out and attack the next guy.”

While Margevicius has not received anywhere near the attention that the Padres highly-touted prospects have, he is considered a legitimate contender to be starting in 14 the majors this season. It would be an even bigger jump than what Lucchesi did last season, starting the Padres’ second game after a year split between Single-A and Double-A.

Hit man Joey Lucchesi’s churve is jumping through the desert air.

And darting and diving. And sometimes bouncing.

Bullpen coach Doug Bochtler is among those who have stopped playing catch with Lucchesi.

Matt Strahm is still doing so. In fact, he continued to on Sunday after a throw from Lucchesi broke Strahm’s nose.

“It just doesn’t do the same thing twice,” Strahm said. “You don’t see it.”

Strahm practiced through multiple bloody noses this week, a condition exacerbated by the desert air. He even pitched Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing just a single in two innings.

“Just a little fracture on the bridge,” Strahm said.

Growing gold The Padres starting infield Saturday, as it likely will on opening day, featured three players with a combined eight Gold Gloves. Machado has four at third base, Ian Kinslertwo at second base and Eric Hosmer two at first base.

Fernando Tatis Jr., the Padres’ top prospect, was at shortstop. That positon on opening day will likely be manned by Luis Urias, the organization’s second-ranked position prospect.

“They’re real defenders and real game changers all across the diamond,” Green said. “You’ve got a lot of guys with Gold Gloves, and you’ve got a couple guys with the potential to win them some day if they keep their head down and keep working hard.”

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Extra bases

• While the expectation internally is the Padres will begin the season with their current pitchers, they continue to be open to signing free agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel at the right price. • Green said , who was the organization’s top-ranked prospect before missing the past two seasons and having Tommy John surgery, will not pitch in a Cactus League game and won’t pitch in the minors until the end of April. The 21-year-old right-hander is on a progression similar to what Chris Paddack did last year when he was a season removed from Tommy John.

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Machado makes SD debut, ready to win in '19

Chris Haft, MLB.com

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ballplayers on losing teams talk about hope. Members of successful clubs revel in desire. Manny Machado placed himself squarely in the latter category Saturday.

After playing three innings in his Cactus League debut for the Padres in a 7-6 win over a Giants split squad, Machado, San Diego's prized free-agent acquisition, devoted most of his interview session with the media to the subject of winning.

Machado knows that fans and teammates alike expect him to deliver on the 10-year, $300 million contract he received from the Padres, who have endured eight consecutive losing seasons. After his Friars debut -- he went 0-for-1 with a popup and a walk -- the third baseman sounded eager to join a host of talented, energetic teammates who appear poised to improve.

Batting second in a lineup that bore a mild resemblance to the one San Diego could use on Opening Day, the Padres amassed four second-inning runs against Giants starter .

"We can play. We can play," Machado said. "Like I said, we can surprise a lot of people. We've got thumpers one through eight.". 2nd, 2019

Padres manager Andy Green particularly appreciated his infield. From left to right, it featured Machado, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (the No. 2 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline) and All-Stars Ian Kinsler at second base and Eric Hosmer at first.

"Game-changers all across the diamond," Green said.

Few Major Leaguers can change a game like Machado, who has averaged 36 home runs and 96 RBIs over the past four seasons. He understands that he personifies the dawn of a new era in San Diego.

"All you need is confidence in this game," Machado said. "I think the organization has put its best foot forward, and it's given the guys a lot more confidence to go out here and know that this is not going to be a losing situation. We're going to try to win, maybe not the [National League

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West] division, but we're going to fight for a Wild Card spot. You never know what can happen in baseball."

Well, why not unseat the Dodgers as division champs?

"We could do it. I'm not saying we can't. But they're a great team," said Machado, who finished the 2018 season with Los Angeles after spending the previous 6 1/2 years with Baltimore. "They've won the division the last [six] years. We know we really have our work cut out for us. But I'm confident in the guys that we have here. If we all stick together and stay on the same game plan, we could be dangerous."

Machado welcomed the opportunity to play at game speed, albeit briefly. He had been limited to workouts on auxiliary diamonds since Feb. 23, two days after he signed with the Padres.

"It's a lot different," Machado said, noting that he "just missed" crushing Pomeranz's pitch that yielded the popup in the first. "You can never practice game speed. You can do the best you can to make it as close as possible. But the game's the game, always."

As Machado spoke, he still wore his glove on his left hand and carried three bats in an equipment bag strapped over his right shoulder. Clearly, he was ready for more baseball.

Endorsement for Tatis

Machado delivered an unsolicited endorsement for Tatis to make San Diego's Opening Day roster.

"Hopefully he breaks camp with us and he's our shortstop," Machado said. "He's a baller. He can play a little bit. But don't put that out there too much. I don't want him to blow up."

Green acknowledged that Tatis "has a chance" to begin the season in the Majors, but revealed nothing more than that. Luis Urias is the favorite to start at shortstop if Tatis doesn’t.. 2nd, 2019

Up next

The Padres travel to play the Rangers in Surprise, Ariz., on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PT. Chris Paddack, San Diego’s No. 5 prospect, is scheduled to start with right-handers Phil Maton and Carlos Torres and lefties Robbie Erlin and Kyle McGrath also listed to pitch.

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Andy’s Address, 3/2 Andy addresses Machado’s first start and his value beyond the field

Bill Center, FriarWire

Manny Machado is starting at third Saturday afternoon against the Giants at the Peoria Sports Complex (TV: FSSD; Radio: FM-97.3).

So most of the questions fielded by Padres manager Andy Green during his daily pre-game media scrum dealt with Machado.

“I’ll look forward to writing Machado’s name into the lineup during the season,” Green said when asked to comment on Machado’s first exhibition game start.

“It is good. I’m happy to get Manny out there today. He feels good. Physically, he’s in a good spot. He’s worked hard on the back fields here, especially the last few days. He kind of upped his intensity and he’s ready to go.

“(Machado’s presence in the clubhouse) has been great. He’s bonding well with his teammates. He’s an easy guy to be around. He’s been offering advice to young guys. He’s been outstanding.”

Machado opened at third with Fernando Tatis Jr. starting at shortstop Saturday.

“He’s been able to spend quality time with Tatis Jr. in the mentoring process,” said Green. “I think he knows what it is like being a young prospect who has high expectations. I’m sure he can relate to him in a way that nobody else really can. That relationship has begun and they seem to get along very well. I’m certain he’s going to help him.”

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Green was asked if there was any significance to Machado hitting second in the order.

“I don’t forsee Francisco Mejía hitting in the four hole (during the regular season),” said Green. “A lot of Spring Training is a function of who you want to get at-bats to and get them out of the game. That’s as much of lineup construction that you can read into today.”

Green was then asked about Machado’s cubicle in the crowded clubhouse being between those of Dominican Republic Franmil Reyes and Franchy Cordero.

“You guys probably dive deeper into that than we really do. He’s around 70 some guys in the clubhouse. Where he is, I don’t think it’s some big secret or something that we’re trying to cause to happen. Sure, he can have a positive effect on them. Hopefully, that is the case with all the veteran guys in the clubhouse. You expect them to impact guys in a really positive way.

“The four veterans (Machado, , Eric Hosmer and Ian Kinsler) are going to be themselves and collectively they will help lead this club. I think we have a really good mix of guys right now. We’re excited about the way they are jelling together early in camp. We like the atmosphere they are creating.”

Green was then asked about reliever , who threw a hitless inning against the Dodgers Friday night, despite walking two hitters.

“Wingenter really didn’t have his fastball command yesterday,” said Green. “I think last year that inning probably gets away from him. Yesterday, it didn’t. He held it together enough to get through that inning. He had a slider he commanded when he had to. We’re excited about his stuff. It’s obvious he has real stuff. For him, it’s just to repeat every single day. His fastball command is always going to be big for him,

20 but it’s good to see that when some things are off, a guy can get through an inning.”

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Today in Peoria: 3/2 Warren throws first side session as a Padre; Manny makes his debut

Justin Lafferry, FriarWire

It was a notable day in Spring Training for a pair of recent free agent acquisitions.

Manny Machado got his first start in front of a good home crowd in Peoria, and Adam Warren threw his first side session as a Padre.

Fans came out to the Peoria Sports Complex in greater numbers this morning, hoping to get an autograph from the Padres’ new third baseman.

Machado endeared himself to his new fanbase, posing for photos and giving out quite a few signatures before heading over to Peoria Stadium and right before taking the field.

This morning, Machado worked in a group with Eric Hosmer, Hunter Renfroe, Franmil Reyes and Ty France. They took BP on Field 2, then moved to Field 1 for defensive and baserunning drills.

Reyes got some more work in during a backfield game, with teammates such as Austin Hedges and Luis Urías. Brett Kennedy, Dietrich Enns and David Bednar pitched that game, on Field 2.

Warren, whose signing was announced yesterday, threw a side session with and Logan Allen. Bryan Mitchell, , Jerry Keel and Anderson Espinoza worked after that group.

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The crafty lefty himself, , is also in camp as an alumni coach. Along with Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, he gets his fair share of autograph and selfie requests at Spring Training.

Tomorrow, Chris Paddack will make his second start of the spring, in Surprise against the Rangers. Brock Burke is slated to pitch for Texas.

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#PadresOnDeck: MLB Pipeline Crowns Padres as №1 Farm System Led by №2 Fernando Tatis Jr., 10 Padres prospects ranked among top 93 in all of minor leagues

Bill Center, FriarWire

The Padres minor league system is ranked №1 in baseball by MLB Pipeline for the second straight season.

It is the first time since Pipeline began ranking minor league systems that a team has been №1 for two straight years.

Led by shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. at №2, the Padres also have a high of 10 prospects ranked among MLB Pipeline’s top 93.

Following Tatis Jr. is left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore (№15), second baseman Luis Urías (№23), catcher Francisco Mejía (№26), right-handed starter Chris Paddack (№34), right-handed starter Luis Patino (№48), left-handed starter Adrian Morejon (№49), right- handed starter Michel Baez(№72), left-handed starter Logan Allen (№74) and left-handed starter (№93).

The Top 10 players in the Padres Top-30 list are — 1. Tatis Jr., 2. Gore, 3. Urías, 4. Mejía, 5. Paddack, 6. Patino, 7. Morejon, 8. Baez, 9. Logan Allen and 10. Weathers.

Other Top-30 Padres prospects:

11. OF-1B Josh Naylor, 12. RHP Cal Quantrill, 13. RHP Anderson Espinoza, 14. SS Xavier Edwards, 15. 3B Hudson Potts, 16. OF Tirso Ornelas, 17. OF Buddy Reed, 18. C , 19. RHP Jacob Nix, 20. C-1B Austin Allen, 21. 2B , 24

22. OF Jeisson Rosario, 23. OF Edward Olivares, 24. RHP Andres Munoz, 25. SS Gabriel Arias, 26. SS Owen Miller, 27. 2B- 3B Esteury Ruiz, 28. LHP Osvaldo Hernandez, 29. RHP Reggie Lawson, 30. C Blake Hunt.

There are seven right-handed starting pitchers on the Top-30 prospects list, five left-handed starting pitchers, right-handed reliever Andres Munoz, four , four outfielders and three .

The three newcomers to the list are Marcano, Hernandez and Hunt. The biggest moves up by players already on the list were made by Potts (23 to 15), Campusano (24 to 18), Austin Allen (25 to 20), Olivares (28 to 23), Naylor (15 to 11) and Miller (30 to 26).

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Machado makes quiet Padres debut in Cactus League game

Associated Press, Staff

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Manny Machado’s debut in a Padres uniform was a lot less eventful than his free agency.

The four-time All-Star spent the offseason being courted by every club with money to burn, and he wound up signing a $300 million, 10-year deal with San Diego late last month. But after a few workouts in Arizona, his Cactus League debut against the was rather underwhelming.

The 26-year-old Machado popped out in his first at-bat and drew a walk in his second, and he came out of Saturday’s game after three innings at third base without getting any action.

Then again, the Padres are paying Machado for what he will do when the game start counting.

Not what happens on a sun-splashed field in Arizona.

“Finally. Finally got to play some baseball,” Machado said. “It’s been good, getting to know my teammates and just getting my feet under me. It’s been a nice week, getting to know players a lot more. I finally got out there and played some baseball — makes it a lot better.”

Machado batted second and started at third base, his primary position for most of his career. He played shortstop last year with the Orioles and Dodgers, but the Padres have one of the game’s top shortstop prospects in Fernando Tatis Jr.

“It felt good. I have to get some more reps over there but I feel good,” Machado said. “Just to leave all that back-field stuff and be in a real game, it was exciting.”

Tatis also got the start against the Giants along with first baseman Eric Hosmer, who signed a $144 million, seven-year deal last year and together form the Padres’ infield of the future.

One that manager Andy Green expects to push his club well past its 66 wins of a season ago. 26

“Look forward to it more in the season,” Green said, when asked about writing Machado’s name on his lineup card. “It’s good. Happy to get him out here. He’s worked hard on the back fields here.”

Green said Machado has been spending most of his time bonding with his new teammates, and he thinks the former third overall pick has been especially helpful for the 20-year-old Tatis.

“He knows what it’s like being a prospect who has high expectations,” said Green, himself a former third baseman. “I’m sure he can relate in a way nobody else really can.”

Yet the expectations for Machado are similarly stratospheric.

He’s coming off a season in which he hit .297, belted a career-best 37 homers and drove in 107 runs, and helped Los Angeles reach the World Series.

That season, coupled with his track record, is why the White Sox and other deep- pocketed suitors spent the offseason wooing him. And lest he forget how much money the Padres ultimately invested in him, Machado was reminded by a Giants fan during his second plate appearance Saturday.

“You’re making $60,000 an hour!” the fan yelled. “Better not strike out!”

So much for a pressure-free spring training game.

“It’s an exciting day for him, I think, to get back on the field,” teammate Ian Kinsler said. “It’s an exciting day for the rest of the infield to be playing with him. It’s an exciting day for the Padres to see basically the new face or somebody that everybody’s going to relate to as far as being a Padres fan.”

Machado said he normally takes 60 or 70 at-bats during spring training, and that means he has a little catching up to do after arriving late. But he said the work on the back fields has been helpful, even if it doesn’t come close to replicating game speed.

He finally got a taste of that against Saturday.

“It’s always worth it when you come out here and put on a uniform and step on that field,” Machado said, flashing a big smile. “It’s the best feeling you’ll ever have.”

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2019 San Diego Padres Season Preview: Manny Machado changes everything

Staff, Yahoo Sports Will Manny Machado's fantasy value rise or fall with the Padres? If you just arose from a coma, we have some big news for you. Manny Machado is a member of the San Diego Padres as of two weeks ago. He’ll be there for the next 10 years and the NL West is a lot more interesting, both in the short term and the long term. The Padres had a promising group of prospects before they landed Machado. Now with Machado in the mix, they’re one of the more fascinating teams in MLB — both from a real on-the-field-results perspective and as it pertains to your fantasy livelihood. Machado is joined by veterans Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers and Ian Kinsler in San Diego’s lineup, but where things get really interesting is when you start to wonder what youngsters Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias are capable of. On the flip side, San Diego’s pitching is about as troubling as its lineup is interesting. If some things go really really right in the rotation, the Padres could challenge for a wild-card. Otherwise, they’re a couple years away from contending. Until then, they’ll be fun to watch — both in the NL West standings and on your fantasy roster. - Mike Oz

View photos Manny Machado signing with the San Diego Padres has changed the trajectory for the organization. (AP Photo/Matt York) More Padres offseason grade You could make the argument that the Padres needed to do more if they really wanted to challenge the and . And you wouldn’t be wrong necessarily. Just look at the starting rotation below. But here’s the really important thing: The Padres signed Manny Machado! It doesn’t matter what else happened (they did add Kinsler and an injured Garrett Richards), they surpassed everyone’s expectations. Points in our book for going for it. Our grade: A- — The minus is only because they could really use a pitcher. - Mike Oz [Batter up: Join or create a 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for free today] San Diego’s projected lineup and pitching staff

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View photos The projected starting lineup for the 2019 San Diego Padres. (Amber Matsumoto / Yahoo Sports) More Who will be the Padres’ fantasy breakout? Franmil Reyes doesn’t enter the year with a starting spot in the outfield locked down, but his bat carries too much potential for him not to be a regular in the lineup one way or the other. He strikes out a lot but possesses legit power, and his average exit velocity last year (92.3 mph) ranked top-15 in MLB. Reyes hit .315/.383/.537 with 10 homers over 162 at-bats after the All-Star break, and he enters 2019 with a bunch of fantasy appeal and with an affordable price tag thanks to his unsettled role. Petco Park is also playing more neutral for right-handed power these days. - Dalton Del Don [Positional Rankings: Top 300 Overall | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | P] What is San Diego’s biggest fantasy question? While Manny Machado loses fantasy value with his move to a pitcher’s park, is there a sleeper on the staff who can take advantage of Petco? Joey Lucchesi is the trendy pick but the arm with the most 2019 upside on San Diego’s staff belongs to rookie Chris Paddack, who won’t immediately start the season in their rotation but will ultimately reward patient fantasy owners (and those in keeper leagues). The big right hander looked strong in his return from TJ surgery last year, recording a 2.10 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with a 120:8 K:BB ratio over 90.0 innings across the minors. Among the many intriguing young fantasy prospects on the Padres, don’t be surprised when it’s Paddack who emerges as most valuable in 2019. - Dalton Del Don Prospect to watch You probably already know the name because you might remember his dad, or because you’re already drooling over yet another second-generation star in baseball’s prospect ranks. San Diego’s star-to-be is Fernando Tatis Jr., a well-built shortstop with an impressive bat and a Carlos Correa-like frame. He’s the top prospect in the NL. And just look at this.

Fernando @tatis_jr's first #PadresST homer of 2019 was SMOKED

Tatis doesn’t figure to start the year in the big leagues. He hasn’t played above Double-A yet, but he’ll be in the bigs soon enough and he’s worth closely monitoring until then. - Mike Oz Things that MUST go right 1. Manny Machado has MVP season: Signing Machado is obviously great news for the Padres long-term outlook. For them to be any kind of factor in 2019 though, they'll need Manny to carry a big load. The Padres are still in rebuilding mode despite the deals they've given Machado and Eric Hosmer the last two winters, meaning any significant surge will have to be authored by their money players. 2. Tatis Jr. contributes: He’s poised to form a dominant infield duo with Machado. The only question is when it will come to fruition. The Padres will likely be patient with Tatis Jr., but if there's any chance for them to make noise in 2019 they will need their shortstop of the future to be a contributor. 29

3. Rotation starts to develop: No disrespect to Joey Lucchesi, but when he's the ace of your pitching staff you're obviously thin on proven talent. The good news is the Padres have some strong talent waiting in the wings. Left-hander MacKenzie Gore and right-handers Chris Paddack and Luis Patino will be fixtures in the future. But 2019 might be another bottom five finish for the rotation without some immediate help. - Mark Townsend If this team had a walk-up song, what would it be? With all the talk in the past six months about Manny Machado’s make-up as a player, we’re imaging a full troll move here. When you sign the guy who famously made headlines for saying he’s not “Johnny Hustle,” there’s only one choice for your 2019 walk-up song. As for the Padres, they’re trying to hustle their way up the NL West standings. - Mike Oz

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