Padres look for to little enhancements to tip up in substantial technique
As the San Diego Padres prepare for Spring Training, which begins with a competitors versus the Seattle Mariners on February 20, the team has numerous selections to make concerning its schedule. Amongst the intriguing non-roster invites are 2 players that could end up being significant factors: bottle Marco Gonzales and really initial basemanNick Solak
Marco Gonzales enters his 11 th MLB duration with a mix of unpredictability and favorable overview. The left-handed bottle, that experienced surgical procedure to fix a flexor tendon in August 2024, lost out on the completeness of the 2025 period. Historically, Gonzales has actually grasped tossing strikes, with an occupation requirement of 67 % of take part the strike area, contrasted to peers like Dylan Cease, that came to a head at 63 % S%. With the support of pitching train Ruben Niebla, there’s hope Gonzales can enhance his strikeout capabilities, having really never ever before gone beyond 147 strikeouts in a period.
One a lot more notable number for Gonzales is his ability to produce dual play possibilities. In his 30 -plus begin periods in 2019 and 2022, he created 134 and 105 GIDPOs particularly, outpacing unique ground-ball containers likeFramber Valdez Unfortunately, insufficient safety support expense Gonzales possible dual use both parties. However, the Padres flaunted a. 991 fielding section in 2025 and attribute relied on facility infielders like Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth, increasing Gonzales’ chances for success this duration.
On the offending front, Nick Solak offers a fascinating choice at first base. Fresh off a solid minor-league duration with a. 332/. 411/. 492 minimize line, his major league job left much to be liked, as he took care of simply 1 hit in 11 efforts. In the center of a little example dimension, Solak’s standout efficiency versus left-handed throwing is notable; his occupation reduced line versus lefties relaxes at. 255/. 319/. 394, dramatically much much better than his numbers versus right-handed containers.
The Padres have actually stood up to left-handed throwing in current times, making Solak’s lefty-mashing ability specifically appealing. If he can enhance or replicate upon his previous efficiency, he might take a duty as a team initially baseman along withGavin Sheets
As Spring Training advances, the feasible result of Gonzales and Solak consists of a facet of pleasure for Padres followers. While their previous MLB experience has actually been a selection, both have the ability to make a substantial influence this springtime. The Padres await their 2026 duration, and followers aspire to see exactly how these brand-new qualities decipher.
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