The Arizona Rookie League began their season with a mix of recent draftees and international signings from 2006 are up. The majority of the team are international players getting their feet wet in USA professional ball. Of the original group that began the AZL season there have been some additions and subtractions.

The subtractions were pitcher Kyle Brule, promoted to Eugene in July. OF Justin Miller also promoted to Eugene in July. Pitcher Stiven Osuna promoted to Fort Wayne very early on. Catcher Daniel Killian promoted to Eugene.

Additions to the roster were former shortstop turned pitcher Paul Bingham from Eugene. Pitcher Daniel Cropper  R/R  6-4  200 lb from North Carolina who was drafted in 2009 by the Nats but did not sign. Signed by the Padres in July as a free agent out of a tryout camp. Pitcher Warren Slack, also from North Carolina, as an undrafted free agent.  R/R   5-11   175 lb. Catcher Robert Kral,  drafted in the 10^th round of 2011.  5-10  190 lb. A bat first left handed hitter, right handed thrower who does not excel at the catch and throw part of his game. Infielder Daniel Garce, a long time DSL Padre who has played in the AZL since 09 and is 22 yrs old. He started this season in Eugene but hit only .185.

The Padres are in third in their division and 9.5 games back from the leader. Their 15-21 record only puts them 0.5 games up on the last place team.

The Padres have a true star in OF Alberth Martinez, the 6-1  170 lb Venzuela native that is 20 yrs old and drives the ball with power. His eleven doubles and six homeruns are tied with two others for tops on the team. He has fifteen RBI and 10 BB to go with 18 SO. He has stolen eleven of thirteen bases successfully. His .362/.414/.630 line over 32 games and 138 AB is tops for the Padres.

3B Duanel Jones, the 18 yr old Dominican native signed by the Padres in 2010, has a .264/.346/.382  line with 6 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR  and 20 RBI with 14 BB and 36 SO over 31 games and 129 AB.

OF Yoan Alcantra, an  18 yr old Dominican native who is hitting .351/.357/.550 over 35 games and 151 AB, is leading the team with 30 RBI and has 11 2B and 5 3B as well as 3 HR. His only real showing of his extreme youth is his 1 BB and 20 SO over that time. He is also 5 of 7 in stolen bases.

Pitching is the major reason the Padres are not more successful. Their pitching staff has struggled with only a few exceptions.  Early season success, Kyle Brule, was promoted to Eugene. While their hitters are fifth in batting in the league, the pitching staff ranks at eleven in team pitching out of thirteen teams. They have a team ERA of 5.70 and none of the starters has an ERA less than 5.05 with most 8 or over. Relievers Daniel Cropper and Jean Corpas have winning records and an ERA of 2.5 or less with Cropper having a 4 BB to 25 SO accomplishment in his 24 innings pitched.

Closer James Jones is 1-0 with a 3.98 ERA over 19 games and 5 saves in 20.1 IP with 4 BB and 21 SO.

The area of most concern for me is the performance of the two shortstops on the team. Both Felipe Blanco and Cody Gabella are young (17yr old and 19 yr old, respectively) players with Blanco from the Dominican and Gabella a junior college draftee from the 42^nd round in 2011. Although they have plenty of time to find their games they are both hitting under .200. Blanco has played in 28 games but has 22 errors in that time.

One pitcher to keep an eye on is LHP Robert Eisenbach, a 23^rd round selection from the 2011 draft.  He is currently 1-2 with a 3.07 ERA in 12 games (2 games started) with 1 save in 29.1 IP with 7 BB and 22 SO.  At 23 yr of age he is old for the league and needs to show development but is a lefty with a senior record (Faulkner) of 14-2 and ERA of 1.48.

Martinez, Alcantra and Jones hit in the top three or four positions for the Padres and are joined by outfielder Yair Lopez in the top slots. Lopez has also hit eight doubles, two triples and four homeruns with 13 RBI but has 41 SO to go with 2 BB over his 128  AB. He is 11 of 13 for stolen bases with a .289/.316/.477 line as a 19 yr old. The top half of the line up definitely carries their weight but needs to be joined by better production from the lower half and improved pitching to increase their standing before the end of the season.