Interview with Denis Savage of Mad Friars

Denis Savage covers the San Diego Padres minor league system for Mad Friars and he was nice enough to answer a few questions for the site.



Baseball-Rumors: Let's start with Chase Headley. A lot of Padre fans are wondering if he can make the change from being a 3rd baseman to being a left fielder. What's your take on it?

Denis Savage: It is an interesting question. He is a very solid defender at third base who really improved his lateral movement over the last year. Coupled with his sure-handedness, Headley is above-average at the hot corner. I have, however, seen him in the outfield taking balls, and it was not pretty. The same lateral movement he has at third, in short bursts to move on the crack of the bat, is far different in the outfield. You need actual jumps and some semblance of speed to makeup ground if you do not read the flight of the ball correctly. Headley needs more experience than "fielding some balls at PETCO" for him to make a serious run at starting. I do believe he could be serviceable if he is given time. He will, however, never be as good in left field as he is at third base. Headley has an amazing work ethic and I, for one, would never count him out.


Baseball-Rumors: We heard a lot about Matt Antonelli possibly being the Padres' Opening Day starter at 2nd base, but now with the signing to Tad Iguchi, it looks like Antonelli will start the year in Portland. Give me your scouting report on him and what should we look forward to when he's called up?

Denis Savage: Antonelli can be a difference-maker in San Diego based on his abilityto see pitches and get on base at a solid clip. If he began the yearwith the Padres, leading the team in on-base percentage would be afeat he could easily accomplish. He is a very patient hitter who wassimply rundown at the end of the season in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League.

He has gap power and excellent bat control. Antonelli will go theother way with the ball just as quickly as he will pull it. He upped his aggressiveness this past season after being a little too passive the year before. Instead of always allowing that first-pitch fastball to fly by, he would offer at it - his power numbers rising as a result. His aggressiveness did come with a price, as his on-base percentage took a slight hit and his strikeouts rose.

Defensively, Antonelli needs another half year at second base to workon his ability to turn the double play and read the depth of the ballfrom the outfield grass. He made tremendous strides in all facets of the game from his debut season to 2007 and it isn't far-fetched to expect the same sort of advancements this year.


Baseball-Rumors: One prospect I'm very curious about is Kyle Blanks. Where does he start the season and what kind of potential does he have in the big leagues?

Denis Savage: Blanks is in a class by himself, especially with the dearth of talent at first base throughout the system. He will begin the year in Double-A - a challenge for the young behemoth. Last year in Lake Elsinore, Blanks feasted at several of the hitter's parks, making his numbers appear a tad inflated. There is, however, no doubt that he has massive power. This season, playing in a pitcher's park, will tell whether Blanks has made all the adjustments. His potential remains extremely high, especially with the new placement of his hands that allows him to turn on the inside fastball.


Baseball-Rumors: Wade LeBlanc gets called up from Lake Elsinore after posting a
6-5 record and a 2.45 ERA. Goes to San Antonio, where he posts a 7-3 record and a 3.45 ERA. How good is this young left-hander and do you expect him to break in with the Padres in 2008?

Denis Savage: LeBlanc is a cerebral pitcher with two outstanding changeups. He spots all of his pitches well, is not afraid to come inside and is very adept at pitch sequencing - making it tough for hitters to guess what pitch he will throw and where. He won't overpower with his fastball, but gets the most out ofhis arsenal by keeping hitters off-balance.

The southpaw should end up in San Diego by the end of the year, more likely as a September call-up, unless injury dictates otherwise. By 2009, LeBlanc has to be considered among the favorites to land a regular gig in the big leagues as the fifth starter. An innings-eater, LeBlanc simply needs to improve his fastball command to become truly dominant.


Baseball-Rumors: A lot of fans want to know the progress of Ceasar Carillo. Do you know when he'll start throwing again, if he hasn't already and do you expect to see him back on a mound next season?

Denis Savage: Carrillo is currently throwing at 120 feet and should increase his workloadas we get closer to spring training. The right-hander is on target for aMay debut in Triple-A. He has sort of been the forgotten man inconversations, and I expect him to have a huge year and contend for arotation spot by the end of the year. Stamina will be a concern this year,but 2009 should see Carrillo earn a regular spot in the San Diego rotation.


Baseball-Rumors: Josh Geer put up ridiculous numbers with San Antonio last season (16-6, 3.20 ERA in 171.1 IP). Give me a scouting report on him and where do you expect him to start the '08 season?

Denis Savage: Geer does everything well but nothing extraordinary. What separates him from the rest of the pitchers in the Padres farm system is his penchant forworking inside without fear and ability to spot his pitches. He does what every other pitcher aspires to do; Geer simply does not have the "stuff" of other pitchers. His fastball is below average in terms of velocity but heworks it to all four quadrants effectively. His changeup is his best pitch and he will use it at any time in the count.

Starting the year in Portland, Geer could be the man the Padres call on as aspot starter when injury occurs. He has the makeup to succeed and should continue to pitch well. I see Geer as a Mike Thompson-type that will help the Padres in certain situations.


Baseball-Rumors: Last question for me...Jared Wells, one player I've heard that has a great shot to be a Padre when the 2008 season opens as part of their bullpen. Do you expect the same?

Denis Savage: Nope. Jared Wells may have finally found a home in the bullpen, relying onhis plus fastball and plus slider. He also has a good changeup but never really threw it enough as a starter. It should be a pitch he can call up onto put-away the opposition. The Padres want him to continue to see success before asking him to be a part of the bullpen. Wells is a competitor and hates to lose, but has blamed others for some of his troubles in the past.

He needs to prove he can overcome his personal demons and pitch the way he is capable. Wells has plus stuff and could be a very good addition to the bullpen at some point in the not so distant future. Since he is on the40-man roster, Wells will get an opportunity to pitch this year.