San Diego Padres 2010 Projections: Bench
March 24th, 2010 | Published in Daniel Gettinger, San Diego Padres, baseball, player evaluation, projections | 2 Comments
by Daniel Gettinger
I continue my series of projections by looking at a few San Diego Padres bench players. I previously projected the infielders and outfielders.
As with the infielders and outfielders, I am not attempting to forecast every player who might possibly play for the Padres in 2010. Instead, I am focusing on the guys who look likely to get the bulk of the playing time. The one noticeable omission is Aaron Cunningham. I just have no idea how much he is going to play.
On to the projections…
Matt Stairs
|
PA |
HR |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
wOBA |
UZR |
WAR |
|
129 |
4 |
0.235 |
0.340 |
0.386 |
0.323 |
-5.0 |
-0.5 |
The Padres signed Stairs this off-season. He was a low-risk signing, and should provide some nice left-handed power off the bench. There are reports that Stairs is in the best shape of his life. I am sure he is. But that does not mean we should expect a ridiculously quality season from him. Most 42 year olds continue to decline, not break out. Stairs was not a bad signing, and he fills a need for the Padres. But a lack of playing time and defensive value limits his upside.
Oscar Salazar
|
PA |
HR |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
wOBA |
UZR |
WAR |
|
180 |
6 |
0.280 |
0.335 |
0.470 |
0.350 |
-3.0 |
0.5 |
I like Salazar. He has decent power and average on base skills. It might take Buddy Black a while to recognize it, but Salazar is the best pinch-hit option available to him.
Jerry Hairston
|
PA |
HR |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
wOBA |
UZR |
WAR |
|
275 |
5 |
0.255 |
0.315 |
0.380 |
0.310 |
0.0 |
0.5 |
Hairston’s bad is bad, but he derives value from being able to play a lot of positions reasonably well. Because of his versatility, Hairston should get ample playing time in 2010.
Yorvit Torrealba
|
PA |
HR |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
wOBA |
UZR |
WAR |
|
240 |
4 |
0.245 |
0.310 |
0.360 |
0.295 |
N/A |
0.5 |
Torrealba is a backup catcher. There’s really nothing more to add.
Next: A Look at the top four starting pitchers
March 25th, 2010 at 3:50 pm (#)
Does Stairs getting that many abs mean he will probably start in the field some games? Where is he going to play?
March 25th, 2010 at 4:08 pm (#)
I have a feeling that Stairs will be Buddy Black’s go-to pinch hitter this season. Although I doubt he will spend much time in the outfield, I would not be surprised to see him out there on occasion. Stairs had 129 plate appearances last year for the Phillies, and I see no reason he can’t reach the same number for the Padres.