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A streak of four straight winning seasons for the
Padres ended in 2008, but the year provided an
opportunity to see what the farm system could
provide. Many players who spent the early days of
their pro careers on the back fields of Peoria got
the chance to play on the big stage.
Chase Headley emerged as the starting left fielder.
Will Venable opened eyes with his defense in center
field during a late-season call-up. Nick Hundley
took hold of the starting job at catcher.
Right-hander Josh Geer pounded the strike zone in a
five-start audition, and left-hander Wade LeBlanc
got his first Big League experience. Those five will
have a role on the 2009 Padres, whether it’s from
Opening Day or a bit later in the season.
With so many promising young players on board for
2009, Padres management signed several veterans to
provide leadership and lessons in the clubhouse.
David Eckstein, a former World Series MVP, was
signed to play second base. Outfielder Cliff Floyd
and catcher Henry Blanco add to the depth on the
bench.
 The holdovers are led by first baseman Adrian
Gonzalez, who had a career year in 2008, hitting
.279 with 32 doubles, one triple, 36 home runs, 119
RBI and 103 runs scored in 162 games. He ranked
among National League leaders in homers (7th) and
RBI (3rd) while tying Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard as
the only NL players to appear in 162 games.
Gonzalez was selected to his first All-Star Game by
a vote of the players. On July 15 at Yankee Stadium,
Gonzalez entered the All-Star Game as a defensive
replacement at first base in the sixth inning. He
tallied four plate appearances in the 15-inning loss
to the American League, going 1-for-3 with a
sacrifice fly and an RBI. On Nov. 11, the Rawlings
Sporting Goods Company announced Gonzalez was the
recipient of a National League Gold Glove Award.
Right fielder Brian Giles hit .306 with 40 doubles,
four triples, 12 home runs, 63 RBI and 81 runs
scored, reaching base safely in 129 of his 147
games. After having not played in a Major League
game since the 2005 season, outfielder Jody Gerut
appeared in 100 games and hit .296 with 15 doubles,
four triples and 14 home runs. Third baseman Kevin
Kouzmanoff had a productive sophomore season,
batting .260 with 23 homers and 84 RBI.
 The winter headlines suggested ace pitcher Jake
Peavy was headed elsewhere, but he returns to
Peoria, the only Spring Training destination of his
pro career. Peavy recorded his sixth consecutive
season with 10 or more wins, going 10-11 with a 2.85
ERA and 166 strikeouts in 27 starts. He ranked among
NL leaders in ERA (third), opponent batting average
(fourth, .229), home ERA (first, 1.74) and day ERA
(first, 1.44).
Peavy and Chris Young form a powerful 1-2 pitching
punch. Young went 7-6 with a 3.98 ERA in a season
limited to 18 starts because of injuries. He was
struck in the face by a line drive hit by St. Louis
slugger Albert Pujols on May 21 and suffered skull
and nasal fractures. He returned to finish strong,
however. Young is 27-19 with a 3.44 ERA in three
seasons with the Padres while holding opponents to a
.204 batting average.
Heath Bell, the fireballer who has made 155 relief
appearances the past two years, inherits the closer
role from Trevor Hoffman. The all-time saves leader
departed for Milwaukee via free agency.
View the
San Diego Padres Spring Training Game Schedule
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San Diego Padres Team Page
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