Chicken Friars » 2012 season

Quentin On the Mend and Should Be Ready for Spring Training for Padres

Dominic Di Tolla — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:00:58 +0000

It was truly a shame that Carlos Quentin missed almost half of the 2012 season. Not only was 2012 Quentin’s first season in a Padres uniform, but San Diego’s Offense really missed his bat, especially at the beginning of the year. In spite of his injuries, Quentin actually produced a solid amount when he was able to get on the field last season.

Quentin had an injury-plagued 2012 season. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Over his 86 games in 2012, Quentin hit a respectable .264 (in 284 At-Bats), clubbed 21 Doubles, 16 Home Runs, smacked in 46 RBI’s, and led the Friars’ starters in OPS (.877), and Slugging Percentage (.504). In addition to these numbers Quentin was still his old self when it came to him being able to get on base and the exercise of effective plate discipline. Quentin Walked 36 Times compared to only 41 Strikeouts, and also led the National League in Hit-By-Pitches with 17.

Sadly for Carlos, it looked like his right knee, the one he underwent surgery on before the 2012 season began, gave him trouble towards the end of the season. There were points towards the end of the year where he was either removed from games due to his knee issues, was replaced in the later Innings for defensive purposes, or looked a tad slow because his knee appeared to give him issues.

Next season however, the Padres will hopefully have a healthy Quentin before the season starts. According to R.J. White of CBS.Sports.com, Quentin underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week, and is in line to be ready for Spring Training next February. The impending healthy return of Quentin would be a huge upgrade for San Diego’s lineup next season. Quentin would be able to be surrounded by Chase Headley plus the now somewhat experienced Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal. This quintet would give the Padres a solid middle of the order, and a core of players to turn to if some extra power is needed.

So let’s keep our fingers’ crossed for a speedy recovery for Carlos, Friars Fans. This team will need his bat, his glove, and his veteran presence next season, and the middle of the lineup can always use some extra power.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference

Final Series in Milwaukee Brings Back Bad Memories of 2007 for This Padres Fan

Dominic Di Tolla — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:00:32 +0000

When I first looked at the Padres’ 2012 schedule, I will admit, I did not read into it too closely. I mean, I looked for the Divisional matchups, and also the games they played up in Phoenix, but other than that, I figured it was just a standard schedule against their regular N.L. West opponents, N.L. opponents, with some Interleague Games mixed in as well. Recently though, I took a look at San Diego’s final series and saw that they were slated to play the Brewers in Milwaukee. When I read it, my heart sank a bit and I was brought back to an emotional place I thought I had left five years ago. I think most of you readers know where I am going with this, but for those which do not remember, let’s take the DeLorean back to late-September of 2007:

Tony Gwynn Jr. came through big time for Milwaukee five seasons ago. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Needing only a single win in their final two games to seal the National League Wild-Card spot, San Diego seemed to be in prime position to seal their postseason spot over the weekend. All-Star and #2 Starter Chris Young took the mound for the Padres that afternoon. It certainly appeared the Padres would be able to clinch that night, even if it was a hard fought game. The Padres and Brewers fought back and forth to tie the game at 2-2 by the Top of the 7th. It was in that Inning that all seemed to be going the Padres’ way as Adrian Gonzalez appeared to play hero, and drove in Pinch-Runner Drew Macias with a Single to put the Friars ahead 3-2. Nine Outs stood between the Padres and the postseason. Sadly, it all came apart in the 9th when future Hall of Fame Closer Trevor Hoffman gave up a 1 Out Double to Corey Hart and then a 2 Out Triple to Tony Gwynn Jr., and the game was knotted at 3 apiece! If Prince Fielder had knocked in the tying run, then fine, but of all people, “Mr. Padre’s” own son was the one to delay San Diego’s postseason dreams! Milwaukee finally won the game in the Bottom of the 11th on a Vinny Rottino Single which scored Ryan Braun, and the Padres were forced to win on the season’s final day to clinch.

The next game was almost as bad as San Diego built a 3-0 lead in the Top of the 1st Inning. The 3 run 1st was courtesy of a Brian Giles Home Run and a 2-run Double by Geoff Blum. Unfortunately, Starter Brett Tomko and the rest of San Diego’s pitching staff fell apart by the middle of the game. From the 4th through the 6th Inning, Milwaukee’s bats came alive as the Brew Crew scored 9 runs to take a commanding lead. San Diego never had a chance after that 9-run barrage, and the Brewers won handily by a score of 11-6.

The final win by Milwaukee sealed the Padres’ fate as they were forced to go to Colorado for the 1-game Wild Card playoff game to play the hot as wildfire Rockies. I will not revisit what happened in that game, but I will still continue to doubt whether Matt Holliday indeed touched the plate on the winning run that sent the Rockies to the postseason. As bad as that extra-innings Colorado loss was to watch, the Padres never should have allowed their season to come down to that specific game. Had the Friars simply taken care of business in Milwaukee, there never would have been a “Rock-tober” or all of the ridiculousness of that “Game 163 Loss,” plain and simple. Those final two regular season games were the ones the Padres needed a “W,” and the Brewers to their credit, dashed their hopes of clinching. What the ’07 team would have done in that postseason, we will never know. Yet whenever I think about that series in Milwaukee and what could have been, it still hurts me more than the “’10 Collapse,” the “’98 Sweep,” or any postseason series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

So come on Friars! If you cannot be in the postseason, at least smash the dreams of others trying to make it!

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference

Cameron Maybin Has Been on Hot Streak for Padres

Dominic Di Tolla — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:42 +0000

Like most of his other teammates, Cameron Maybin got off to a ridiculously rocky start at the plate this season. Unlike some of his other teammates however, Maybin’s struggles at the plate continued through the summer and deep into August. Some, including this writer, believed that a stint in Triple-A Tucson could do Maybin some good to get back on track. It was a bit of a shame when one considered that Maybin was given a 5-year contract extension before the season began, and certainly appeared to be the team’s answer in Centerfield for years to come after his solid 2011 season.

Maybin has really done well over the last month and a half. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Everything it seemed hit rock-bottom statistically for Maybin around August 18th of this year though. Through 110 games, Maybin carried only a .211 Batting Average, a .287 On-Base Percentage, and a .316 Slugging Percentage. In addition, Maybin had only accumulated 23 Extra-Base Hits (13 Doubles, 4 Triples, 6 Home Runs), logged 37 RBI’s, and Walked only 37 times compared to the 87 times he had Struck Out. The Friars’ Centerfielder however has rallied since that 0 for 3 performance on August 18th, and has been on an absolute tear at the plate ever since. During Maybin’s last 31 games and last 114 At-Bats (entering Thursday night), he has put up some astounding numbers:

.377 Batting Average, .408 On-Base Percentage, .482 Slugging Percentage, .981 OPS, 9 Extra Base Hits (7 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Home Runs), logged 9 RBI’s, Scored 16 Runs, and best of all, 6 Walks compared to 17 Strikeouts.

This hot-streak not only elevated Maybin’s Batting Average .039 points from .211 to .250, it also increased his On-Base Percentage .027 points, and his Slugging Percentage by .039! Granted, the rises might not appear to be huge. Yet when one considers how many games have already been played, statistical spikes like that are pretty astounding.

Final Thoughts

Maybin has the perfect combination of speed and agility to man the spacious Outfield in Petco Park. If Maybin he can just find a way to hit with some consistency over the course of an entire year, the Padres would be in great shape not only in the field, but in their batting order as well. In terms of where Maybin can do the most damage as a hitter, the 7th or 8th spots would be the best places to put someone with his speed, and great places to put a player with a little bit of power behind the “big guns.” Plus, his speed can even come in handy at either the Leadoff or 2nd spot in the batting order if Maybin is able to reach base with consistency. Maybin has flashed his potential so many times during his career with this franchise that I am hoping when he “finally puts everything together,” he does it in a Padres uniform. I tip my cap to Maybin for his late-season efforts, and he has been a big reason why the team has done so well down the stretch.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference