Renfroe, Pirela expected to make majority of starts in left field
Opening Day is tomorrow, which means today will be the final position preview before the real thing gets started.
Previous position previews:
Starting pitchers
Catchers
First base
Second base
Shortstop
Third base
Right field
Center field
We will conclude in left field, where a platoon is likely to occur.
On the roster:
After some uncertainty as to whether he would make the Opening Day roster, Hunter Renfroe is in and is expected to play the majority of his games in left field. The Mississippi State alum started off spring training relatively slow, but warmed up and wound up OPS'ing .944 with six home runs in 64 at-bats. Although he only walked three times, the Padres organization was impressed with the quality of his at-bats and how he responded to challenges that they laid before him.
For Renfroe, it is all about how he hits against right-handed pitching. In 2017, the 26-year-old hit .316 with a 1.077 OPS in 114 ABs against southpaws. Against right-handers, though, he hit only .202 with a .636 OPS in 331 ABs. That trend continued this spring, too. He hit .333 against lefties and .206 versus right-handed pitching, although he did hit 3 home runs off of both.
This is the season for Hunter Renfroe to prove he is in the long-term plans of the organization. A platoon bat that rakes against lefties is still very valuable, but his numbers must improve off right-handers if he wants to be an everyday player. He must also showcase a better on-base and defensive profile. Young OF Franchy Cordero, who impressed many in Padres camp during the spring, will be in Triple-A waiting for a chance to prove himself in the big leagues if Renfroe does not produce.
Pirela was arguably the Padres' best hitter last year. He began in El Paso, where hit .331 with a 1.022 OPS and 13 home runs. He was called up to the Padres in June and hit .288/.437/.490 with a .837 OPS. Playing mostly left field last season on an everyday basis, the 28-year-old led the Padres in fWAR (2.1) and OPS+ (122).
Pirela could very well spend time at second base and left field this season. Most of his starts in left field are likely to come against right-handed pitching.
Myers, who hit .243 with a career-high 30 home runs a year ago, could spend time in both right and left field this season, although it is likely he will spend much more time in right. The 27-year-old has only made four career starts in left field.
https://twitter.com/dennistlin/status/977329033867243520
In what might have been a little bit of a surprise, Matt Szczur made the Opening Day roster over Travis Jankowski. He could find some time in left field this season, as he started 14 games there in 2017. His on-base ability perhaps earned him the nod over Travis, as Szczur reached base at a .358 clip for the Friars last season.
Without a left-handed hitting outfielder, Spangenberg took some reps in left field during today's workout at Petco Park. He started 25 games there last season, and his versatility could get him in the lineup more often, especially when Carlos Asuaje is playing second base. The two battled for the job at second this spring, with Spangenberg hitting .294 with three home runs.
https://twitter.com/sdutSanders/status/979097115925266433
Obviously, nothing is set in stone for the Padres this season at the left field position. Many players are going to get a chance to prove themselves, and the organization is hoping one of them runs with it.
