On Wednesday, Robert posted a list of the Non-Roster players being invited by the Padres to Spring Training in Peoria over the next month and a half.  While there are some familiar players coming as Non-Roster invites such as Jedd Gyorko and Tim Stauffer, I was particularly intrigued by some of the talented Minor League Pitchers on the aforementioned list: Relievers Kevin Quackenbush and Matt Stites, and Starters Robbie Erlin, and Donn Roach.

Robbie Erlin will likely begin the year in Triple-A Tucson. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Quackenbush & Stites

Quackenbush and Stites, both Right-Handers, really burst on the scene as potential contributors in the Padres’ Bullpen after both enjoyed terrific stints in the Arizona Fall League.  During A.F.L. play, Quackenbush and Stites emerged as two of the League’s most effective Relief Pitchers, and Quackenbush was named to the League’s “Top Prospects” team at the conclusion of the season as he posted 6 Saves over 11 Appearances to go along with 16 Strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA.  No slouch himself, Stites posted a 1-0 record over 12 Appearances, and a 3.21 ERA with 15 Strikeouts, as both teammates were a formidable pair out of the Peoria Javelina’s Bullpen.

Because of how effective they were in the A.F.L., as well as the 2012 regular season, the Relievers are likely in line for a promotion in Minor League levels in 2013 too.  Stites is coming off of a productive year with Single-A Fort Wayne, as he befuddled Midwest League hitters to the tune of a 2-0 record, and a 0.74 ERA in 48.2 Innings Pitched and 43 Appearances.  Most impressive of all however was the 60 to 3 Strikeout to Walk ratio Stites tallied last year!  Quackenbush, who pitched with High-A Lake Elsinore, was no slouch himself as he went 3-2, posted a 0.94 ERA over 57.2 Innings Pitches and 52 Appearances, and Struck Out 70 batters.

Erlin & Roach

Acquired in exchange for then-Setup Man Mike Adams back in 2011, Erlin figures to be a fixture in the Padres’ Starting Rotation in the near future.  And like Quackenbush and Stites, he enjoyed quite the stint in the Arizona Fall League as well.  Overall, Erlin pitched 23.2 Innings, and went 2-1 over 7 Starts with the Peoria Javelinas (he was a teammate of both Stites and Quackenbush) this Fall after he sustained a rough 2012 regular season due to an injury.

Erlin missed a large chunk of the 2012 campaign due to elbow tendinitis, but was nevertheless effective in his 11 Starts as he posted a 3-1 record, and logged a 2.92 ERA to go along with 72 Strikeouts over 52.1 Innings Pitched.  The Left-Hander’s career stats in the Double-A Texas League, with Frisco and San Antonio, illustrate that he is more than ready to begin the regular season with Tucson in Triple-A.  If this happens, I for one will be coming out to Kino Stadium like I did last year as I saw Gyorko and Yasmani Grandal tear up Pacific Coast League Pitching.  Only this time I will be there to watch some top notch Pitching.

Speaking of Pitchers, do you Friars fans remember when the Padres traded Ernesto Frieri to Los Angeles of Anaheim in May of last year?  Well besides “Swiss Army Knife” Alexi Amarista, the Friars received Minor League Pitcher Donn Roach in exchange for Frieri.  Although Roach did not contribute at the Big League level like Amarista did in 2012, he really did a fantastic job in The California League.

How good was the former Angels prospect?  Well, Roach, with Inland Empire and Lake Elsinore, was as close to dominant as a Starter could be in High-A ball last year.  Over 14 Games (13 Starts) and 88.1 Innings Pitched, the Sinker-baller registered a 10-1 overall record, a 1.94 ERA, and an impressive 73 to 14 Strikeout to Walk ratio.  It would not shock me in the least to see Roach making Starts with Triple-A Tucson by the end of the year.  In fact, Roach could very well be on the fast track to Triple-A if he proves he can hang with Texas League hitters after his promising debut last year with the Missions (4 Appearances, 3 Starts, 1-1 record, 1.59 ERA) before he was shut down for the year due to his workload.

Final Thoughts

As promising as these Pitchers are, I nevertheless have to remind myself that only Erlin is likely to make any sort of contributions with the Padres this season.  Stites and Quackenbush have yet to pitch an Inning of Double-A ball, and Roach has a limited amount of experience at the Double-A level also.  Nevertheless, it is at least intriguing and hopeful to see that the Friars do have some potential in their Minor League system after so many years with their “cupboards” essentially “bare” of talent.  This added time against increased competition will hopefully serve these hurlers well, because they will be counted on to help the Friars as the rebuilding process continues for the franchise.

So keep a close eye out for these four prospects over the next month and a half, Friars fans.  Each one has the potential to be an integral pieces of the Padres’ Pitching Staff puzzle soon, and I for one am interested in seeing how they perform this Spring as Non-Roster invitees.

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference and AFL Stats

Liriano is a rising minor league star right now. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Liriano, the Padres #1 Prospect according to MLB.com, did a fine job with the Javelinas and proved to those who watched that he is deserving of a #1 ranking within the organization.  In 22 games, Liriano hit .319 (29 for 91) with 5 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, 15 RBI’s, and an awesome 23 Runs scored.  In addition, Liriano logged a .376 On-Base Percentage and Slugged .505.  Quackenbush, also a member of the Javelinas, emerged as one of the best Relief Pitchers during League play this Fall.  In 11 Appearances (11.0 Innings), Quackenbush pitched for a League-leading 6 Saves, Struck Out 16 batters, and put up a solid 2.45 ERA.  After both players did well in High-A Lake Elsinore, Liriano and Quackenbush should be primed for extended stints with Double-A San Antonio when the 2013 campaign begins.

Liriano and Quackenbush were not the only Padres’ prospects to do well in the AFL though, especially with the Javelinas.  Second Baseman Cory Spangenberg had himself a solid 8 game stint with the club and hit .345 (10 for 29) with 1 Home Run, 3 RBI’s, and put up an incredible .500 On-Base Percentage.  Starting Pitcher Robbie Erlin also managed to shine with the Javelinas, and went 2-1 over 7 Starts and 23.2 Innings Pitched, while the Javelinas other Second Baseman, Jeudy Valdez, hit .303 (20 for 66) in 18 AFL games.  In addition to Quackenbush, Peoria also had a solid Padres prospect out of the Bullpen in the form of Matt Stites.  And all the Reliever did was go 1-0 in 12 Games, put up a 3.21 ERA, and record 15 Strike Outs in 14.0 Innings of work.

Final Thoughts

Although we will likely not see many of these prospects until late this season at the absolute earliest, I must say that it is comforting to see these (hopefully) future Friars doing so well.  While Liriano might garner most of the headlines, the performances of Erlin, Spangenberg, Quackenbush, Stites, and Valdez illustrate just how much depth this organization has at the minor league level.  I for one cannot wait to see what Manager Bud Black does with this talent once it is deemed big league ready, and I hope that happy days come soon to Petco Park.

Anyways, a tip of the cap to you Liriano and Quackenbush, and a tip of the cap to the rest of the Padres’ prospects who did so well this Fall!

Stats Courtesy of: Baseball Reference and AFL Stats

Rymer Liriano: The Padres top outfield prospect actually scored the first run of the AFL season. Liriano is off to an impressive start, as he has gone 5-for-11, with a double, and 2 RBI’s. His .455 batting average is certainly impressive in the early season. Liriano could make an appearance for the Padres in the 2013 season.

March 9, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (left) attempts to field a ground ball that goes past him as San Diego Padres right fielder Rymer Liriano (right) runs to second base during the fifth inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Jeudy Valdez: Valdez, like Liriano, has a place on the 40-man roster for San Diego. Valdez had a miserable season for AA San Antonio, hitting just .225. Valdez may need to impress in the AFL to show that he is worthy of that roster spot. Valdez is 1-for-5, with a double.

Nate Freiman: Freiman put up some monster numbers for San Antonio, and played for the Isreal team in the World Baseball Classic qualifying round. Freiman is off to a slow start, as he is 1-for-9 in two starts.

Matt Stites: Stites had a monster year for the Fort Wayne Tincaps, posting a 0.74 ERA(that is not a typo) in 42 games. He gave up a run in his only appearance so far for Peoria.

Kevin Quackenbush: Quackenbush has been a dominant reliever in the Padres system, and saved 27 games for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2012. He pitched a scoreless inning, with two strikeouts for Peoria in his lone appearance.