Padres Press Clips Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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Memo to Padres: Growing pains support no 'blank check' UT San Diego Miller 2

Padres mailbag: How many starting will be on the UT San Diego Lin 5 move?

Michel Baez strong again for Fort Wayne UT San Diego Sanders 7

Hand set for first ASG: Today, 4:30 PT, FOX MLB.com Collier 9

Morejon excels in impressive start for Tri-City MLB.com Boor 11

Padres On Deck: Blash, Cordereo, Reyes Homers Power FriarWire Center 12 Affiliates’ Wins

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Memo to Padres: Growing pains support no 'blank check' Bryce Miller It’s ’s breather, when the All-Star break allows the sport to take stock of its competitive universe and ponder whether Aaron Judge will single-handedly derail pace of play by denting Neptune.

The Padres are evaluating their cosmos, too.

This is a bad baseball team. That’s not opinion. That’s just a fact when chewing on the only metric that truly matters — winning. Only the Phillies and, remarkably, Giants limped through the first half in worse win-loss shape.

Then again, we all knew that’s where this team would be right now. Heck, the front office told us so.

And that’s the intriguing thing about the Padres and the full-reboot journey they’re on. They’ve proven to be masters of messaging, successfully promoting patience in ways the fumbling Chargers never could.

As the second half prepares for flight, the core question at the heart of that cosmos becomes: How long will fans remain tolerant ticket-buyers?

How long can a franchise bank on the park’s sexy, bay-side profile and fancy menu? When does the “we’re building young” and “help is on the way” lose traction?

At some point, winning matters.

The Padres remain the ultimate mixed bag. Attendance has dipped to an average 25,958 through the first half — down nearly 2,000 per game from a season ago.

That, however, is 20th out of 30th teams. That actually could be painted as overachieving, given that the team owns the third-worst record in baseball.

There are a combined 30 World Series titles among the 10 teams looking up at the Padres on the attendance list. Granted, the most recent winner was the White Sox (2005), winners of one playoff game since.

But the group includes the Indians, a World Series qualifier a season ago who finished one Game 7 rain delay away from the championship.

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The Padres’ communications savvy seems rooted in a couple of ratings numbers from Fox Sports San Diego. First-half viewership is essentially flat when compared to this point a season ago, a representative said.

A push toward more coverage of up-and-comers in the minor-league system, however, has caused “Inside San Diego Sports” and Padres POV” to spike 96 and 67 percent, respectively.

Will it last?

For transparency, I like the Padres plan. I think it’s about smartly building a house a brick at a time, rather than caving to the buzz of big names and big contracts.

They tried that. See: Matt Kemp, James Shields, Tyson Ross, Melvin Upton, Derek Norris and The Big Push, Circa 2015.

It’s not about the thoughts of any one person, though. It’s about how long the broader fan base, one that’s waited since 2006 for a playoff game, plans to soak up big-league prices as the brush strokes continue.

Will they wait the rest of 2017? Yes. Without a doubt. But that trust and faith isn’t a blank check.

Austin Hedges has to be far better at the plate in September than his current .218. can’t continue to strike out at a career-high pace. One or two guys among Carlos Asuaje, Cory Spangenberg, Franchy Cordero, Ryan Schimpf and Christian Bethancourt need to establish legit staying power.

Who’s the next ? How close are Cal Quantrill and ? Will a trade – think of a name that rhymes with “band” – add depth at multiple positions?

This young team doesn’t have to be good. But it has to be better. The Padres began the season 15-30. They’re 23-20 since. That’s a start.

Progress within Padres walls will not always be splashy and rarely obvious. For fans to feel good about where the product is heading, it requires a continuous drumbeat of improvement.

That makes manager Andy Green a nearly perfect person for the long-term job. Few walk the line of patience and persistence better.

DNA rich Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the way. So is Cuban slugger Jorge Ona and the pitching depth Eric Lauer, Joey Lucchesi and Quantrill could provide. With Myers anchored at first base, Josh Naylor is either a long-term answer or short-term trade gold. There’s no doubt that the $78 million or so the Padres invested in the international market has created unprecedented farm system depth.

At Petco, guys like Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe gain valuable at-bats by the day. The potential mix of those types of players and the next wave should be fascinating to watch.

The future, though, starts now.

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The Padres need to show that type of growth, an at-bat at a time at Petco, through promotions across the farm system and by continued acquisitions that gobble up even more chess pieces in the way this plan has positioned them.

This team is last in the league in run production, scoring 215 fewer than the Astros at the break. Pitching continues to struggle, as the team lingers among the MLB’s least productive in ERA and runs allowed.

The Padres sit dead last in MLB run differential. It borders on near-historic flailing, on all fronts.

Everyone knew the franchise would experience prolonged growing pains under a plan that still makes sense. But as the grind continues, the Padres need to remind themselves that every improvement plan has phases.

Support for the rest of this season and next isn’t unconditional.

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Padres mailbag: How many starting pitchers will be on the move? Dennis Lin The Padres are 38-50 at the All-Star break, on a 70-win pace. It is fair to say they have surpassed expectations despite ranking last in the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, runs scored and run differential. San Diego likely will shed a few of its more proven players before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, meaning youth will be even more central in the second half.

On to the mailbag. As always, you can submit questions via Twitter or email.

Andy Green said in April that the Padres want Austin Hedges to make between 120 to 135 starts. Two months later, Hedges has started 66 of 88 games. Extrapolated to a full season, that is 121- 122 starts, which seems reasonable for a 24-year-old in excellent shape.

Thanks to Anthony Rizzo, Hedges was on the receiving end of this year’s most jarring home- plate collision. He recently missed two games because of neck stiffness. But I wouldn’t say he is burned out. His defense has been superb all season, and he collected his first career multi-homer game on Friday.

If Trevor Cahill continues to prove his health, he would bring back the most among the three starters you mentioned. I think he’ll be traded. There was some rust in his first two starts off the disabled list, but it seems clear the right-hander can help a team with playoff aspirations.

Jhoulys Chacin doesn’t have Cahill’s stuff, but he’s been effective since his early-season disasters on the road. Over his last seven starts, including two away from Petco Park, Chacin has a 2.44 ERA.

Clayton Richard has been reasonably reliable. Like Cahill and Chacin, he’ll be a free agent after this season. But the Padres probably wouldn’t mind hanging on to him for the rest of 2017. They need at least one innings-eater to help protect their younger arms, and Andy Green credits Richard for creating a buyoant clubhouse culture.

To answer your question, I’ll guess one of the trio is shipped out this month. It could wind up being two, but all three pitchers would be short-term rentals and back-of-the-rotation arms on a contending team. The Padres have to weigh the value of a modest return against the need to field a workable rotation.

The Padres have developed a good if not dominant bullpen. If they weaken it through trades, what would they need to get in return (say, for Hand, etc.) instead of maintaining one good solid strength? Is there a case for maintaining the strength? —Michael, Imperial Beach

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There is little reason not to sell high a like Brad Hand. As assets go, bullpen arms are both the most volatile and the easiest to replace. San Diego is carrying multiple examples, including Hand (waiver claim), Ryan Buchter (minor league signee) and Kirby Yates (waiver claim). Rookie Phil Maton, a former 20th-round draft pick, already has handled some high- leverage situations. In the minors, relief prospects such as Brad Wieck and aren’t far from making a big-league impact.

Cal Quantrill, who pitched in Sunday’s All-Star Futures Game, will be officially promoted to Double-A San Antonio any day now. He could debut at Petco Park sometime next season.

The tools are still there, but Guerra, in his second season at high Single-A Lake Elsinore, hasn’t exactly made a quantum leap forward after his frustrating 2016. The 21-year-old entered Monday hitting .228/.268/.363 with 106 and 17 walks. The Padres have continued looking for long-term solutions.

Tatis Jr., whose stock has skyrocketed even as Guerra’s has cratered, could be one. The 18-year- old may have to move to third base eventually, but he can be an above-average bat at either shortstop or the hot corner. He has a .277/.373/.492 slash line for low Single-A Fort Wayne, with eight extra-base hits and 10 walks over his last eight games. That said, he won’t turn 19 until January. He’s probably a couple of seasons away.

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Michel Baez strong again for Fort Wayne Jeff Sanders The Padres signed Michel Baez for $3 million out of Cuba. Three starts into his professional career, the 21-year-old right-hander looks like he’s worth every penny.

Baez struck out seven and allowed just one hit and one walk over six shutout innings in low Single-A Fort Wayne’s 13-4 win over visiting Lansing on Monday night.

The 6-foot-8, 220-pound is 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA, 23 strikeouts and three walks through three starts, including the last two in the Midwest league.

Baez allowed two runs in five innings, striking out seven and walking two in his Arizona Rookie League debut. He then struck out nine over five shutout innings on July 4 in which he ran his fastball up to 98 mph.

“It’s a really big arm – a fastball that plays but also the makings of very good secondary stuff,” Padres farm director Sam Geaney said after taking in Baez’s first Fort Wayne start. “He spins a very good curveball and has a good change-up as well. That was the biggest crowd in the history of that park at Fort Wayne and for his first outing outside Arizona he handled himself very, very well.”

Baez (2-0, 0.00) threw 55 of his 80 pitches for strikes in his second start as the TinCaps (12-7, 38-51) piled on 15 hits.

Right fielder Jorge Ona (.288) drove in four runs on three hits, third baseman Hudson Potts (.224) drove in three runs and hit his 10th homer and left fielder Nate Easley (.240) hit his second homer.

Second baseman Reinaldo Ilarraza (.229) drove in two runs on four hits and shortstop Fernando Tatis (.277) went 1-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, two walks and three runs scored.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (11-7, 52-36)

 Missions 2, NW Arkansas 0: RHP Chris Huffman (4-2, 2.63) struck out five and scattered six hits and four walks over six shutout innings. C (.258) went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and DH Franmil Reyes (.282) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. RHP Trey Wingenter (1.76) saved his ninth game with two strikeouts, a walk and a hit allowed in the ninth.

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HIGH SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (8-11, 43-46)

 Visalia 8, Storm 3: RHP Jacob Nix (2-2, 4.10) allowed six runs – five earned – on seven hits and a walk in six innings and RHP Zech Lemond (4.7) allowed two runs in the seventh. 3B Ruddy Giron (.245) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and C Austin Allen (.259) hit his 12th homer.

SHORT-SEASON TRI-CITY (14-12) Dust Devils 5, Eugene 0: LHP Adrian Morejon (2-1, 2.88) struck out six and scattered four hits and no walks over six shutout innings. Morejon signed for $11 million last July out of Cuba. RHP Austin Smith (0.00) struck out two in the eighth and RHP Jordan Guerrero (3.18) struck out the side in the ninth. RF Luis Asuncion (.293) tripled and drove in four runs and 2B Kelvin Melean (.253) and 1B Bryant Aragon (.219) each had two hits.

ROOKIE AZL PADRES1 (6-7)

 Padres 3, Rangers 2: RHP Nick Margevicius (0.82) struck out seven and allowed an unearned run on five hits and no walks in the start and RHP Cory Mazzoni (0.00) continued his rehab with five strikeouts over two scoreless innings. DH Angel Santos (.318) went 2-for-4 with his first homer, two RBIs and this third steal.

ROOKIE DSL PADRES (11-20)

 Padres 4, Mariners 3: LHP Carlos Valenzuela (3.78) allowed an unearned run on six hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out two in a no-decision. 1B Blinger Perez (.208) drove in two runs on two hits and C Gilberto Vizcarra (.217) went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.

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Hand set for first ASG: Today, 4:30 PT, FOX Padres reliever looks forward to making his return to Miami

By Jamal Collier / MLB.com | @JamalCollier | 3:00 AM ET

MIAMI -- It had not occurred to Padres reliever Brad Hand that he might be named an All-Star until a few weeks ago. The left-hander knew he was having a good year, but it's not easy for non-closers to be selected. Yet, as he was watching TV before the teams were announced, his name came up as the potential representative for his club.

Hand thought it would be cool to go back to Miami, plus, he makes his home in Jupiter, Fla., meaning his entire family will be in attendance for his first All-Star appearance.

Once a cast-off by the Marlins, Hand is making a rather triumphant return for the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (today, 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX). After he was cut by the Marlins before the 2016 season, the Padres were quick to snatch him off waivers and convert him to a full-time reliever. Hand's journey has come full circle.

"It feels normal," Hand said. "I was comfortable here, I played here, so it's not a new environment for me. That makes it a little easier."

During parts of four seasons with the Marlins, Hand posted a 4.71 ERA. Hand has flourished since he arrived in San Diego, and the Padres certainly allowed him to do so. No one has made more appearances or pitched more relief innings. He ranks third in the Majors in relief strikeouts during that time, between only Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller.

This season, Hand owns a 2.30 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 42 games (47 innings). He's capable of pitching multiple innings, and his wipeout slider has been effective against hitters from both sides of the plate.

"That pitch has came a long ways," Hand said. "It's one of my key pitches right now. That pitch has gotten better and more consistent and more comfortable with it for sure."

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After last October's bullpen revolution, Hand's versatility in the 'pen and his ability to induce strikeouts have made him one of the most sought-after commodities on the trade market.

Hand has already been linked in trade rumors to the Yankees, Nationals and Dodgers, as all teams that might be searching for bullpen help before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31.

"I don't really worry about it," Hand said. "I just worry about what I got to do that day, and what I got to do to prepare myself to be able to play in the game that we're playing that night. At the end of the day, if you sit there and worry about what's going to happen down the road, it's going to effect you in the game that you're playing that night."

Today at 4:30 p.m. PT, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

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Morejon excels in impressive start for Tri- City By William Boor / MLB.com | 12:59 AM ET

Adrian Morejon spun the best start of his young career as he led Tri-City to a 5-0 win over Eugene.

Morejon, the No. 88 overall prospect, gave up just four hits across six innings in what was his first scoreless start.

The Padres' No. 3 prospect threw 54 of his 84 pitches for strikes, matched a career high with six strikeouts and didn't issue a walk for the fourth time in five starts.

Morejon, whom the Padres signed for $11 million in 2016, got off to a fast start as he retired seven of the first eight batters he faced and didn't surrender a hit until the third inning. The 18-year-old did get into a bit of trouble in the sixth as the first two batters reached via base hits.

However, Morejon induced an infield popup, and after the runners advanced to second and third with just one out, he recorded a pair of punchouts to end the threat.

The strong performance improved his record to 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA through the first five starts of his career.

Other top prospect performances from Monday's action:

• Padres prospects Jorge Ona (No. 7) and Hudson Potts (No. 12) combined to go 5-for-10 with seven RBIs in Class A Fort Wayne's 13-4 win over Lansing. Ona got things started with an RBI single in the first, but Potts highlighted the frame with a two-run homer, his 10th of the season. Ona finished the game 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while Potts went 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

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Padres On Deck: Blash, Cordereo, Reyes Homers Power Affiliates’ Wins LHP Lucchesi improves to 2–0 at AA-San Antonio; Naylor, Quantrill in Futures Game

By Bill Center

First baseman Josh Naylor had an RBI single in two at-bats and right-handerCal Quantrill allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning Sunday in the Sirius XM Futures game kick-off to the All-Star Game festivities in Miami.

Canadian natives Naylor, 20, and Quantrill, 22, both played for the World Team. They are with the Padres Advanced Single-A affiliate in Lake Elsinore.

Elsewhere in the Padres system Sunday:

— Right fielder Jabari Blash and center fielder Franchy Cordero hit tape-measure homers to center at Southwest University Park in El Paso as the Chihuahuas defeated Salt Lake 5–2 to go into the All-Star break. Blash (.294), who was 1-for-2 with a walk, cleared the wall by 25 feet on his 19th homer. Cordero (.313) drove his eighth homer, a two-run shot, over the batter’s eye.

— Left-hander Joey Lucchesi (2–0, 2.61 earned run average) allowed an unearned run on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in his second start with Double-A San Antonio.

— Right fielder Franmil Reyes (.284) was 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run homer, his 11th of the season in the Missions’ 6–1 win.

— Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (.276) had a double in three at-bats with two walks, three steals (20 on the season), a RBI and a run scored in Single-A Fort Wayne’s 5–4 win over Lansing.

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— Third baseman Eguy Rosario and center fielder Robbie Podorsky each had two hits for the Padres-2 in the Arizona Rookie League. Rosario is hitting .426 after going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Podorsky went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and three runs scored to reach .400.

Around the Farm:

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (44–46) — CHIHUAHUAS 5, Salt Lake 2: Starting RHP Bryan Rodriguez (2–7, 5.63 ERA) allowed a run on six hits and two walk with four strikeouts in seven innings to get the win. RHP Adam Cimber (3.93) allowed a run on a hit and two walks with a in two innings. 2B Diego Goris (.284) backed Blash and Cordero, going 2-for-4 with a double, DH Rafael Ortega (.287) was 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly for two RBIs. C Rocky Gale (.281) was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (10–7, 51–36): MISSIONS 6, Northwest Arkansas 1: RHP Yimmi Brasoban (1.00 ERA) followed Lucchesi and gave up a hit with a strikeout in two scoreless innings. RHP Eric Yardley (1.98) allowed a hit in a scoreless innings. RHP Trey Wingenter (1.82) struck out the side in a perfect inning. CF Auston Bousfield (.241) was 2- for-3 with a walk, two steals, two RBIs and a run scored. C Webster Rivas (.214) was 1-for-3 with a run scored. SS Luis Urias (.298) was 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and a sacrifice fly. 1B Nick Torres (.261) was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

ADVANCED SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (8–10, 43–45): VISALIA 12, Storm 2: 3B Carlos Belen (.228) had a double in three at-bats with a run scored. 1B Wilfri De La Cruz (.387) was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. C Kyle Overstreet (.253) had a RBI double in two at-bats with a walk. Starting RHP Jake Esch (1–1, 6.75 ERA) allowed eight runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. RHP Colby Blueberg (2.76) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.

SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (11–7, 37–51) — TIN CAPS 5, Lansing 4: Starting RHP (5.50 ERA) allowed a run on a hit with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings. RHP Ronald Bolanos (3–1, 3.98) allows three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings. RHP Diomer Lopez (4.85) allowed a hit with a strikeout in a scoreless inning to get his second save. LF Rod Boykin (.244) had a double and triple in three at-bats with a walk, a RBI and a run scored. 2B Reinaldo Ilarraza (.220) was 2- for-4 with two stolen bases, a RBI and a run scored. 1B G.K. Young (.256) was 1-for-2 with a RBI and three walks. CF Buddy Reed(.246) had a double in three at-bats with a walk and a run scored.

SHORT-SEASON SINGLE-A TRI CITY (13–12) — EUGENE 2, Dust Devils 1: 1B Bryant Aragon (.200) was 2-for-3 with a walk. Starting RHP Emmanuel Ramirez (2–1, 2.70) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings. RHP Jose Galindo (0.00) allowed a hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.

ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-1 (5–7) — The Padres-1 had Sunday off.

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ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE PADRES-2 (8–5) — PADRES-2 9, White Sox 8: Rehabbing El Paso LF Collin Cowgill (.333) backed Rosario and Podorsky with two doubles in three at-bats with two RBIs and a run scored. RF Tirso Ornelas (.255) was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. 2B Kelvin Alarcon (.217) was 1-for-2 with three walks, a RBI and a run scored. DH Nick Feight (.143) was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. SS Gabriel Arias (.182) was 1- for-3 with a run scored. Starting RHP Jose Guzman (5.17 ERA) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. LHP Anderson Polanco (5.40) allowed two hits in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. RHP Starlin Cordero (7.20) issued a walk in one-third of a scoreless inning. RHP Nick Kuzia (1–2, 5.60) allowed three runs on four hits with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings but got credit for the win.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PADRES (10–19) — The DSL doesn’t play on Sundays.

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