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Padres Farm Report (3 Jun 08)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008
by Geoff Young

My mind is in full-on draft mode, and I've been re-reading some old notes: In 2004, I'd favored Stephen Drew over the two pitchers being targeted. Of the pitchers, I preferred Jeff Niemann to Jered Weaver. Oops... In 2002, I'd wanted Cole Hamels over Khalil Greene. Then again, I'd also wanted Bobby Brownlie... I ran some numbers last July, and maybe it's time to revisit those: Win Shares, 2002 Draft First Round Player200320042005200620072008Total Stats are through games of June 1, 2008, and are courtesy of Hardball Times and Baseball Graphs. Khalil Greene, SD (13th pick)121171319273 Nick Swisher, Oak (16th)-1122219256 Jeff Francoeur, Atl (23rd)--131622455 Prince Fielder, Mil (7th)--21728653 Mark Teahen, Oak (39th)--101916449 Scott Kazmir, NYN (15th)-1131417348 Joe Blanton, Oak (24th)-0141015342 B.J. Upton, TB ...

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Posted in Draft, Minors | 2 Comments »

Padres Farm Report (29 May 08)

Thursday, May 29, 2008
by Geoff Young

Before we get started, I've got a new article up at Hardball Times about a few stories I've been tracking this season. I've also been interviewed over at Friar Nation. Yes, my revised win projection for the Padres is 73. Seems kinda bleak, but they'd actually need to break even the rest of the way to achieve it. When you look at it that way, I'm being perhaps too optimistic... Triple-A -- Sacramento 3, Portland 2...

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Posted in Draft, Minors | 32 Comments »

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Friday Links (25 Apr 08)

Friday, April 25, 2008
by Geoff Young

I'm pressed for time this morning, so links are offered with minimal commentary (and there was much rejoicing): Alan Drooz at the U-T misses Mike Cameron (h/t PM). Clay Hensley's first rehab start went well (h/t Field39). MB at Friar Forecast asks how we know when a player is done. Good question. Amy Nelson at ESPN jumps on the bandwagon and writes about Trevor Hoffman (h/t Coronado Mike). Tom Krasovic at the U-T informs us that Chase Headley was sent ...

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Posted in Notes and Links | 40 Comments »

Friday Links (11 Apr 08)

Friday, April 11, 2008
by Geoff Young

Quick reminder: The Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual is on sale. People tell me it doesn't suck, so go buy a copy or three. To the links... Jake Peavy has a mysterious substance on his hand (Yahoo!, h/t Kevin) and suddenly the "national" media knows where San Diego is. Solid effort, guys. Love this quote from Peavy: There's nothing on my hands that's not supposed to be. I thought it was funny that it was such a big deal. I've got no problems with anytime anybody needs to check me. In other words, he says "bring it," which is exactly what ...

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Posted in Notes and Links | 51 Comments »

I, Me, Mine

Thursday, April 10, 2008
by Geoff Young

No game on Thursday. Hey, the Padres can't lose. ;-) Meanwhile, I've been working on a few other things: John at MadFriars asked me a few questions about the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual. I'll also be pimping the Annual on Bases Loaded with Elliott Price. Elliott is the former long-time play-by-play voice of the Montreal Expos. This is scheduled to air at 11 a.m. PT. My latest article at Hardball Times examines the belief that Trevor Hoffman struggles in non-save situations. I'm leaving Knuckle Curve to join the staff at Baseball Digest Daily. I've been ...

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Posted in Notes and Links, Open Thread, Site News | 123 Comments »

Friday Links (28 Mar 08)

Friday, March 28, 2008
by Geoff Young

Is it my imagination, or are these weekly link roundups becoming a tad unwieldy? Would it be better to do a link post every day or two (not as a substitute for my normal daily thing, but in addition to it)? Let me know what you think... Mike Bauman at Padres.com notes that Jake Peavy is working on his changeup (h/t LynchMob), which could make him an even better pitcher. Better? Well, he just won the Cy Young Award unanimously, so that might be stretching it. Still, it's good that Peavy is making an effort to refine his game. That gives him a better chance to maintain his current level of ...

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Posted in Notes and Links | 44 Comments »

Why Can’t the Padres Capture Our Imagination (and Money)?

Monday, March 17, 2008
by Geoff Young

I'm working on my Padres preview for Hardball Times, and one question that confounds me is this: Why won't San Diego get behind the Padres? I don't have an answer, but I'd love to hear some theories. While you're thinking about that, here's a nice table for your viewing pleasure: Padres Winning Percentage and Home Attendance, 2004 - 2007 YearW-LPctAtt/G Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference. 200487-75.53737,244 200582-80.50635,429 200688-74.54332,837 200789-74.54634,445 This marks the first time the Padres have enjoyed more than two consecutive winning seasons. They also reached the playoffs two straight years (and came within one strike of making it three straight) for the first time in franchise history. I get that it's popular to bash the club for not being aggressive ...

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Posted in Baseball | 124 Comments »