Although it is definitely good news to know that Maybin might be on the road to recovery, I still have one very important question to ask:

 

How much playing time will he receive in the Padres’ “crowded outfield” once he eventually comes off of the disabled list?

 

Maybin is on the disabled list. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

If he does recover from his right wrist issue relatively soon, Maybin will definitely have his work cut out for him.  In fact, the center fielder will probably have to leap-frog a multitude of players on San Diego’s depth chart if he wants to get back into the mix for some playing time when he returns.

For instance, the always consistent Chris Denorfia has been his “quietly productive-self” through the first month of the regular season.  Over his first 28 games, Denorfia has been quite the stable “table-setter” for the Friars.

So far, Denorfia has hit .302 (29 for 96), has posted a .374 on-base percentage, and is tied for the team lead in runs scored (16).  “Deno” has also clubbed eight doubles and two home runs in addition to the 10 he has knocked in to boot.  San Diego’s versatile outfielder has definitely proved once again that he is worthy of a starting gig in the outfield, and his ability to play all three positions should make him a lynch-pin in the Friars’ every-day lineup.

While Denorfia’s success comes as little surprise to many, Kyle Blanks’ recent productivity has been downright solid and shocking.  After Blanks missed 230+ regular season games from 2010-2012, the power-hitting outfielder has taken advantage of his extended chances to shine over the first month of the 2013 regular season.  Used as a platoon-player against left-handed pitching, Kyle has enjoyed a successful start in his most recent return.

Overall, Blanks has hit .293 (12 for 41), smacked two doubles, hit one home run, knocked in five runs, and has even managed to score another five on his own.  When healthy, Kyle is a viable power-threat in San Diego’s lineup and he can play either of the corner outfield positions as well.  As long as Blanks can stay off of the disabled list, he will definitely be an important part of the Friars’ success this year.

Although veterans Carlos Quentin (.183 batting average, two home runs, nine rbi’s) and Will Venable (.216 batting average, three home runs, 10 rbi’s) have struggled somewhat to begin their 2013 campaigns, they will also be in the hunt for playing time with Denorfia and Blanks through the summer.  The left-handed Venable definitely hits right-handed pitching much better than Maybin, and Quentin is a far bigger power threat than the center fielder is as well.

Venable definitely had an impressive series against the Diamondbacks over the weekend, and he is always an option at a corner outfield spot whenever the Friars face a right-handed starter.  While Quentin’s knee has been gimpy, his plate-discipline and power still should earn him at-bats if he is able to play in left field.

Final Thoughts

In addition to Denorfia, Blanks, Quentin, and Venable, I certainly will not discount Alexi Amarista and Jesus Guzman as potential competition for Maybin when he returns either.  The versatile Amarista can help out at all three outfield spots in addition to second base, while Guzman can chip in and help in left field and right field.

I certainly hope that Maybin is able to not only realize his potential upon his return, but that he can also live up to the big extension (five-years $25 million) he signed last spring.

Unfortunately for Cameron, his time on the bench coupled with his competition’s recent success will not make things easy for him once he eventually returns from the disabled list.  San Diego’s outfield could be a bit too crowded come the summertime, and Maybin might be forced to “grab some pine” behind Denorfia, Blanks, Quentin, and Venable.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference and ESPN

Apr 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera (2) fields a ground ball during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 season is almost a month old. It’s getting near the point where early season flukes are now becoming real trends for players and teams. While it’s quite obvious that the Padres have not gotten off to the start that they needed to in order to compete for the NL West title, I found four facts that were, quite honestly, hard to believe when I first came across them. These are as of Thursday night at around 11pm EST.

1. Through 21 games, the Padres have scored more runs than the Dodgers.

We all know the story with the Dodgers. Going back to the trade deadline in 2012 and into this past off-season, they’ve invested a boatload of money into players like Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Hanley Ramirez to join an already talented core group of guys like Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Meanwhile, the Padres began the year without their best hitter in Chase Headley, their starting catcher in Yasmani Grandal (who is still out for another month), and a banged up cleanup hitter in Carlos Quentin (who also missed eight games due to the suspension for charging the mound during the brawl with the Dodgers). With all that said, it’s quite surprising that the Padres have managed to muster up more runs than L.A., especially considering how badly the Padres have played this April.

2.  Will Venable has more RBIs than Josh Hamilton, Joey Votto, and Adrian Beltre, among others.

I’m not sure if this says more about Venable’s solid start, or the other guys’ slow starts. But numbers don’t lie. And in far fewer at-bats, Will Venable has been able to drive in more runs than those previously mentioned run producers. To make it more unbelievable, Hamilton, Votto, and Beltre all sit in the middle of three of the best lineups in all of baseball, and have far more opportunities to drive in runs than Venable does.

3. Everth Cabrera leads the Padres in hits, total bases and tied for the lead in home runs.

Uh, seriously? If this doesn’t tell you how bad the Padres have struggled to find consistent offense this season, I’m not sure what will.

4. The Padres are 4-2 vs. the Dodgers, and 2-13 vs. everyone else

Sure, when you only have six wins total, and you’ve already played L.A. six times, I guess this makes sense. But still, we’re a month into the season fellas. You don’t get to play the Dodgers series. Time to pick up the play.

Go Padres.

Let me say that again.

The Padres starting lineup is scary.

If I were a manager I wouldn’t want my starting pitchers to face the Padres lineup.

I never thought I’d ever get to say that.

The starting lineup infused with a healthy Chase Headley, Carlos Quentin and a developing Yonder Alonso can be Major League Baseball’s best hearts of the order.

Sorry Dodgers.

Add Kyle Blanks into the equation and the starting lineup is deadly.

Mar 9, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) at bat during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t care what the skeptics say,  Chase Headley did not have a fluke year in 2012. I fully expect him to be the hitter he was last year. If this is the case, Headley can give the Padres about a .290 batting average with 30-plus home runs and over 100 RBIs. No to mention his  uncanny ability to get on base via the walk.

Carlos Quentin is a fearless hitter. While he will give the Padres a batting average hovering around .250, he will easily give the club 20 or so bombs.

Yonder Alonso is a doubles machine. The more this guy gets seasoned, the more his power develops. I’d say Alonso is good for about a .300 average and 10 bombs.

Where do I start with Kyle Blanks? This guy is a beast. His problem is staying healthy, if he can do that he can club over 30 home runs and drive in 100 RBIs. No Joke.

Don’t these guys sound intimidating? I sure as hell would want to face the Padres with all these guys in the lineup.