San Francisco Giants: NL West Power Rankings

Rank #3: The San Diego Padres

April 29, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(53, right) reacts next to catcher

(4, left) after giving up a double to San Francisco Giants left fielder

(38, not pictured) during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego is number three because they overhauled their roster for the better this offseason. But they may not have the pitching to get them a division a title. The Padres made numerous trades and signings this offseason, obtaining Wil Myers, Justin Upton, Derek Norris, Clint Barmes, and Matt Kemp which will help make their offense potent.

Last season, the Padres finished third in the west with a 77-85 record thanks to an inconsistent offense and pitching. Of the six different starting pitchers the Padres had last season, none of them had a winning a record. The pitcher with the best record of the Padres starters was Ian Kennedy, who went 13-13 with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Collectively, the San Diego rotation had a 3.60 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, which is not terrible, but is not great either.

Sep 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(22) pitches during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

However, pitchers can only win if their team gives them run support. The Padres lacked the ability to produce runs last season, ranking 30th in every category offensively, with a .226/.292/.342 slash line as a team, and only scored a total of 535 runs. With the additions of Myers, Upton, Norris, Barmes and Kemp, it will hopefully fix the offensive problems for the Padres in 2015.

Kemp, Norris, and Upton all had batting averages over .270 last season, with ten or more home runs, 50 or more RBI’s, and an OBP between .340 and .360. Combined last season these three players had 64 home runs, 91 doubles, 166 walks, six triples, and 166 RBI’s. With these fresh new players in the lineup, the Padres should have an easier time scoring runs.

Meyers and Barmes on the other hand, did not do so well in 2014,  but have proven in other points of their careers, that they can be effective with the bat. Meyers hit a measly .222 with six home runs, 14 doubles, and 35 RBI’s in 2014. It was a big let down after his 2013 rookie season when he hit .293 with 13 home runs, 23 doubles, and 53 RBI’s.

Barmes played in only 48 games last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In those 48 games, he hit just .245. With just 25 hits and no home runs in 2014, Barmes doesn’t have much to show for the season. He’s been streaky over the course of his career, but has proven that he can hit above his career .246 lifetime batting average before.

The Padres, may look good on paper at the moment, but team chemistry might be their ultimate downfall thanks to to their massive roster shake ups. Also, the Padres will have the same slate of starting pitchers, aside from Brandon Morrow, who played for the Toronto Blue Jays last year but did poorly in posting a 1-3 record with a 5.67 ERA in six starts. If the pitching can rebound, and the hitting can improve, then San Diego might have a shot at a post season berth.

Next: The Arizona Diamondbacks