The Arizona League Padres began their season on June 21 and have played 14 games in their season of 56 games. The team is mostly comprised of 2010 draftees who have signed early, free agent signees, holdovers from last year’s team and those promoted from the DSL Padres. Many are recent high school or junior college experienced players. This is the entry level into professional ball for many of these players and lots of instruction takes place at this level. The organizational philosophy begins to get instilled and the players get evaluated for promotion to higher levels if they excel here.

We will do a weekly update on their progress and the players who excel. Those promoted to other levels will be mentioned and the roster will be fluid as more players sign before the Aug 16 deadline.

This team plays at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ., site of the major league and minor league Spring Training facilities. This facility plays host to year round baseball activities with the sweltering heat of the summer as the background for the debut of these new Padres.

Please feel free to make comments or ask questions about these players. The most watched will probably be Donovan Tate, last year’s #1 draft pick, as he makes his professional progress after a year of career delaying injuries.

Roster

Ivan Cruz- Manager

Kory DeHaan- Batting coach

Jimmy Jones- Pitching coach

Pitchers

Alessio Angelucci

Simon Berroa

Jeury Castillo

Joshua Cephas

Juan Chavez

Luis De La Cruz

Rob Gariano

Mark Hardy

Juan Herrera

Ryan Hinson

Esteban Javier

Kendall Korbal

Noah Mull

James Needy

Tyler Norwood

Erick Ojeda

Gary Poynter

Eugenio Reyes

Adam Schrader

Stelyn Valdez

Chris Wilkes

Catchers

Matt Combs

Justin Echevarria

Brandon Fowler

Jhonaldo Pozo

Infielders

Chris Ahearn

Bryan Altman- 2B

Paul Bingham-3B

Daniel Garce-DL

Carlos Garcia-1B

Jorge Minyeti-SS

Manuel Nuno-1B

Ryan Skube-2B/DH

Cole Tyrell-SS/2B

Adan Velazquez-2B

Outfielders

Corey Adamson

Joe Agreste

Yair Lopez

Mykal Stokes

Donovan Tate

Gunner Terhune

After the first 14 games of the season there have been some standout performances. Those performances will be highlighted here on a weekly basis and you will learn more about the players.

RHSP Juan Herrera (1-1)-  6-0, 179    DOB 8/21/1991  R/R

A 2007 free agent signee that moves up from the DSL Padres 2009.

Started 4 games 16 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 9 SO 1.69 ERA

LHSP Mark Hardy (2-1)-  6-4  195   DOB  5/3/1988  L/L

Selected 43^rd round 2010 draft  from U British Columbia

Started 3 games  15.1 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 18 SO  2.93 ERA

This line requires comment as Hardy has dominated hitters and has a .200 average against.  He has great downhill plane to his pitches and generates lots of groundballs as well as strikeouts. He projects to be especially tough on left handed hitters.

RHP Adam Schrader (1-0)- 6-3, 210     DOB: 3/10/87  R/R

Drafted in the 39^th round of the 2010 draft out of Southwest Minnesota St.  has 3 appearances with 1 start- 13.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 2 BB,  15 SO with a 0.00 ERA.

Paul Bingham  3B -  6-3 205    DOB:  3/7/1988    Indiana U

Drafted in the 20^th round of the 2010 draft. In 12 games played and 44 AB: 9 R, 17 H, 3B, 5 RBI , 6 BB, 9 SO,  4 SB for .386/.451/.432.

Yair Lopez  OF-   6-3   150   DOB  9/9/91    Cartagena, Columbia

Spent the 2009 season with the DSL Padres ( .293/.419/.420). In 11 games and 47 AB:  11 R,  15 H,  2 doubles,  2 HR,  14 RBI,  8 SO and 2 SB.

Carlos Garcia 1B-  6-3   165      DOB: 3/29/89    Dominican Republic

Spent the 2009 season with the DSL Padres. Had 17 SB in 62 games  with 8 doubles, 6 HR and 43 RBI’s.  Fleet of foot and only 21 yrs old he looks to be able to fill out more and develop more power.

At this point the rotation appears to be dominated by Juan Herrera, Mark Hardy, Eugenio Reyes and Rob Gariano with spot starts by  Adam Schrader, Noah Mull and Luis De La Cruz.

The starting nine is rotated around and we will keep track of who rises to the surface and who earns promotions.