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About ale522
sports and financial markets enthusiast. Native San Diegan, diehard Padres, adopted Warriors and ex-Chargers fan
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ale522 has written 1566 articles so far, you can find them below.
Trent Grisham Fails To Build On Breakout 2020 Season
San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham finished the season with a .242/.327/.413 slash, 15 homers, 13 steals and 123 runs-plus-RBI in 527 plate appearances. After breaking out in a shortened 2020 campaign, Grisham battled leg injuries early in the season, ultimately disappointing as a player expected to provide OF2/3 value. Despite superb plate discipline, the... Read More
Tommy Pham Headed Towards Free Agency After Uneven Year
After an inconsistent season in 2021, San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham will enter his age-34 season as a free agent. Pham followed up a disappointing shortened campaign last year with a .229/.340/.383 slash, 15 homers, 14 steals and 123 runs-plus-RBI in 561 plate appearances. Despite his fourth career double-digit power and speed output, Pham... Read More
Eric Hosmer Enters Offseason With Lingering Doubts
After a disappointing 2021 campaign, San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer enters the offseason with doubts about his role as an everyday player. With an outsized contract and uninspiring 102 wRC+, the 31-year-old was often the scapegoat for the Friars second half collapse. Across 565 plate appearances, Hosmer recorded a .269/.337/.395 slash, 12 homers,... Read More
Jake Cronenworth Proves Legitimacy In 2021
San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth entrenched himself as an everyday big leaguer after a successful sophomore campaign. The 27-year-old tallied a .266/.340/.460 slash with 21 homers, four steals and 165 runs-plus-RBI over 643 plate appearances, earning an All-Star bid while playing both first and second base. Under team control through 2026, Cronenworth should remain... Read More
Manny Machado Posts Another Strong Season
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado wrapped up another solid season in 2021, compiling a .278/.347/.489 slash with 28 homers, 12 stolen bases and 198 runs-plus-RBI over 640 plate appearances. Despite the Friars cratering in the second half, Machado remained a reliable force in the lineup, placing third in the NL with 106 RBI... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Claims NL Home Run Title
After a 4-for-12 series over the weekend with a pair of doubles against the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. cemented his superstar status in 2021. Despite playing in just 130 games, Tatis led the National League with 42 homers, slashing .282/.364/.611 with 25 steals and 196 runs-plus-RBI in 546 plate... Read More
Ryan Weathers Has Much To Improve Next Season
San Diego Padres pitcher Ryan Weathers coughed up five earned runs over three innings Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Making his first start since August, the swingman permitted five hits and three walks while fanning two. After a strong start to his rookie campaign, the league caught up to Weathers' subpar stuff as he... Read More
Yu Darvish Ends 2021 Campaign With A Whimper
In likely his final start of 2021, San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish permitted two earned runs in four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite six strikeouts, the right-hander labored over 85 pitches, surrendering five knocks and four walks. After an All-Star first half, Darvish cratered in his final 12 starts, absorbing eight losses... Read More
Robert Hassell III Bombs Three Dingers After Promotion
San Diego Padres outfield prospect Robert Hassell III went 3-for-6 with three homers and five RBI Wednesday for High-A Fort Wayne. After conquering Low-A Lake Elsinore with a .897 OPS, seven dingers and 31 stolen bases in 429 plate appearances, Hassell's big night came just three games into his promotion. MLB's No. 46 prospect and... Read More
Blake Snell No-Hits Snakes For Seven Frames
San Diego Padres starter Blake Snell was pulled after seven no-hit innings Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-hander was brilliant with 10 strikeouts, but was lifted after 107 pitches and the Friars eventually lost the no-no courtesy of the bullpen. Aside from two walks, Snell was automatic with his slider clicking at a high... Read More
Daniel Hudson Pitching Poorly Since Joining Friars
San Diego Padres reliever Daniel Hudson continued his poor run as a Friar Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, suffering three earned runs in â…” innings. Entering the seventh with a 6-1 lead, Hudson permitted a walk and double before striking out two batters. He was lifted after issuing another free pass but was charged with... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Carries Friars To Victory
San Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. carried the Friars to victory Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 3-for-5 with a home run, double and three RBI. Tatis launched his NL-leading 36th homer in the first frame with a two-run job and added an insurance RBI double in the ninth to secure the 7-5 victory.... Read More
Chris Paddack Sharp In Return From Injured List
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack was sharp over 4 â…” innings Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Returning from the IL after missing a month with an oblique strain, the right-hander yielded one earned run and fell one out short of earning his eighth victory as he fanned five while permitting just three hits and... Read More
Joe Musgrove Emerging As Friars Ace
After tossing a shutout against the Los Angeles Angels last Friday, San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove is emerging as the most reliable arm in the Friars stable. With the pitching staff in tatters, the right-hander has been consistent across 148 â…“ frames (26 starts) with a 2.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28 percent strikeout... Read More
Dinelson Lamet Resumes Rehab Assignment
San Diego Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet (forearm) resumed a rehab assignment on August 24 with Low-A Lake Elsinore. Working his way back from elbow and forearm issues, Lamet was dealt a setback a few weeks ago with a hip infection. After his breakout 2020 season, the 29-year-old right-hander has been limited to just 34 â…“... Read More
Chris Paddack Nearing Return
San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack (oblique) threw three frames in a bullpen session Thursday as he mounts his return to the mound. The right-hander hasn't pitched since July 27 and is expected to throw another bullpen before the Friars decide whether he'll need a rehab start or return straight into the rotation. With the... Read More
Shaun Anderson Pitches Clean Frame In Friars Debut
San Diego Padres reliever Shaun Anderson recorded two strikeouts and a walk in his team debut Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles earlier this month and called up from Triple-A this week, the 26-year-old right-hander pitched a clean 14th frame with the game on the line. Anderson owns an ugly... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr.'s Late Heroics Not Enough For Sliding Friars
San Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. went 1-for-7 with four strikeouts but crushed a game-tying extra-inning home run in Wednesday's 16-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. El Niño's two-run bomb in the 15th frame sent the contest into one more set before the Friars finally faltered 5-3. Despite the late heroics, Tatis is... Read More
Blake Snell Dazzles In Best Start Of Season
San Diego Padres starter Blake Snell was marvelous in 7 â…” innings Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, fanning 10 while permitting one earned run. In his best start of 2021, the left-hander allowed three hits and zero walks in a season-high 122 pitches. His only mistake was a late game-tying home run to catcher... Read More
Jurickson Profar Swats Rare Home Run
San Diego Padres utilityman Jurickson Profar drew a walk and crushed a two-run home run in two at-bats Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Entering to play first base as part of a double switch, Profar's long ball was one of three hits for the Friars in the feeble 5-2 loss. Along with a recent... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Swipes 24th Bag
San Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. went 0-for-3 Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers but drew a walk and stole his 24th base. Since his four-hit outburst upon returning from the injured list on August 15, El Niño is just 3-for-25 (.120 average) with a homer in his past seven contests. Despite multiple IL... Read More
Pierce Johnson Opening Tuesday Against Dodgers
San Diego Padres reliever Pierce Johnson will open Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 48 appearances this season, the right-hander has gone past one frame just once, so he'll likely be followed by some combination of relievers Craig Stammen, Miguel Diaz, Reiss Knehr and Nabil Crismatt. The 30-year-old Johnson has been serviceable out of... Read More
Trent Grisham Out Of Tuesday's Lineup
San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Without a multi-hit game since August 10, the 24-year-old will ride the bench against southpaw Julio Urias with shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. manning center field. Grisham has been a steady OF3 fantasy contributor despite missing significant time with leg... Read More
Ryan Weathers Continues Summer Swoon
San Diego Padres starter Ryan Weathers was tagged for six earned runs in 4 â…” innings Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. The 21-year-old surrendered seven hits including three home runs while walking one and fanning seven. After a commendable start to his career, the left-hander has fallen on hard times, possessing a grotesque 15.43 ERA... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Could Get Reps In Right Field
The San Diego Padres are considering trialing shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder) in right field. Out since July 30 after partially dislocating his left shoulder for the fourth time, the Friars believe a positional move could preserve their star 22-year-old. Expected to return from the IL imminently, Tatis has looked natural practicing in the outfield... Read More
Craig Stammen Fares Poorly As Opener
San Diego Padres reliever Craig Stammen allowed four earned runs in two innings as the opener Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. The 37-year-old encountered trouble from the get-go, permitting three runs in the first frame before getting tagged with another one an inning later. He allowed six knocks and fanned two without any walks. The... Read More
Wil Myers Reaches Base Four Times
San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers finished 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, two runs scored and a stolen base Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. The 30-year-old has endured an uneventful season from a fantasy perspective, slashing .256/.342/.423 with 85 runs-plus-RBI but does have 12 homers and seven steals in 363 plate appearances. With shortstop... Read More
Austin Nola Starting To Heat Up
San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. Nola has played sparingly in 2021 after dealing with multiple injuries, but is batting .424 (14-for-33) with seven RBI since coming off the IL on July 22. Projected as the starter this offseason, Nola's opportunities should... Read More
Trent Grisham Ices Game With Two-Run Triple
San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham drew two walks, scored two runs and pounded a two-run triple in four plate appearances Monday against the Miami Marlins. The 24-year-old demonstrated his elite plate discipline with the early free passes but capitalized with a three-bagger in his final at-bat to ice the Friars 8-3 victory. Grisham remains... Read More
Joe Musgrove Deals For Fourth Straight Start
San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove spun six frames of one-run baseball in Monday's victory against the Miami Marlins. The right-hander needed 94 pitches to fan eight batters while scattering five singles and a walk. Musgrove has been fantastic in his past four starts, rocking a 1.44 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with three victories. Overall,... Read More
