These 5 Padres are trending upward

July 13th, 2020

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres have reached the midway point of Summer Camp, with Monday night's intrasquad game at the University of San Diego's Fowler Park marking their 10th scrimmage this month.

With less than two weeks until Opening Day, here's a look at five players who have boosted their stock with their performance in camp, according to sources in attendance.

1) Francisco Mejía
Mejía's struggles were so pronounced during Spring Training that team decision-makers mulled whether he even had a place on the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old catcher looked lost at the plate, going 0-for-15 in Cactus League play, and -- more importantly -- he struggled defensively.

But according to those in attendance at the team's nightly intrasquad games, Mejía has made some noteworthy strides on both sides of the ball, and he's no longer in jeopardy of missing out on a roster spot. He might even win the starting job.

Mejía remains entrenched in a playing-time battle with Austin Hedges, who holds the upper hand because of his defense. (Without pitchers hitting this season, the Padres envision it being easier to hide Hedges' bat at the bottom of their order.) Still, Mejía may have earned himself more playing time this month, and he could be a factor at DH, too, if the Padres want both his bat and Hedges' glove in their lineup.

2) Cal Quantrill
Quantrill's stock got a boost the moment Major League Baseball expanded its rosters to 30 players for the first two weeks of the season, ensuring his place on the team. Still, Quantrill has been one of the standout pitchers in camp and could factor into the team's pitching plans in a number of different roles.

The 25-year-old right-hander remains a factor in the team's rotation race. He's currently vying for the No. 5 spot with Joey Lucchesi and possibly Adrian Morejon. But if Quantrill misses out, it won't be due to his performance. The Padres might ultimately decide that he fits better as a long-relief weapon and a spot starter on staff. With the presence of a designated hitter this season, his relief outings wouldn't face the same pinch-hitting restrictions.

During his 2019 rookie season, Quantrill spent about three months as one of the staff's most effective pitchers before the wheels came off in September. Per team decision-makers, he appears to have found his midseason form once again.

3) Dinelson Lamet
Lamet's stock was already rising quickly when the season was shut down in mid-March. He didn't allow a run over three Spring Training outings, striking out 11 and allowing three hits over nine innings. Lamet has simply picked up where he left off.

The right-hander has been mentioned as a breakout candidate for 2020, and it's easy to see why. After returning from Tommy John surgery midway through last year, he will be turned loose in a 60-game season. Lamet's two breaking pitches -- a biting slider and a high-octane, late-breaking curveball -- have reportedly been as sharp as ever.

"Honestly, I'm really excited," Lamet said. "Even though I'm not going to have a lot of outings, it's great to know that, so now I know I can just go out there and compete."

4) Adrian Morejon

Morejon's stock has risen due to the recent spate of bullpen injuries. If he doesn't earn a starting role, he's still currently the third lefty bullpen option after Matt Strahm and Drew Pomeranz. Thus, it's hard to envision Morejon being left off an expanded Opening Day roster (though the Padres remain in search of left-handed relief help).

Still, Morejon has impressed this month. The 21-year-old prospect has held his own against Padres hitters during intrasquad games, and the club envisions using him in a number of different capacities. He could provide valuable long relief. He could earn the No. 5 spot in the rotation -- either as a traditional starter or a short starter who would turn the ball over quickly to the bullpen. Morejon even served as an opener on multiple occasions after his midseason callup last year.

"He's going to be able to start, he's going to be able to go through an order more than one time, and we believe he's also going to be available to go one inning," manager Jayce Tingler said. "He's in competition for all those spots. The main thing is, he just needs to continue to throw the ball well."

Perhaps more than anyone else, this is a big week for Morejon.

5) Edward Olivares

No Padre seems to have boosted his stock more than Olivares, who arrived in camp as a fringe roster candidate but now seems like a favorite for a bench spot in the outfield.

"He's made a good impression in Spring Training, and maybe even a better impression in the short look of Summer Camp so far," Tingler said last week. "The way he runs stands out, the way he defends all three spots. His at-bats, he's been as good as anybody at looking at pitches outside the zone. For a young kid, he hasn't been swinging it wildly. On 2-2, 3-2 counts, he's been disciplined, he's drawing walks, he's hitting the ball the other way."

Olivares is not yet a lock for a place on the 30-man roster, but he's clearly impressed the team's decision-makers. It's possible he makes the club as a starter against tough lefties and a strong speed-and-defense option off the bench. That could leave Josh Naylor and Franchy Cordero -- once viewed as roster favorites -- squarely on the bubble.