Padres News: A Healthy Wil Myers is Key To the Padres Season
The key to the San Diego Padres season might very well be the health of Wil Myers. The team acquired the young infielder/outfielder last year before the season at the cost of prospects Trea Turner, Joe Ross, Burch Smith and Jake Bauers. His health and production is extremely important to the 2016 San Diego Padres. The team will look for much production from this young right-handed hitter.
The 2013 American League Rookie of the Year is still only 25-year-old. The sky is seemingly the limit for him and Padres fans are very eager to see Myers play a full season. He has played parts of three seasons in the major leagues, but hasn’t played more than 88 games in a season. He did that in 2013 when he won the rookie of the year award for the Tampa Bay Rays.
His first season in San Diego started off well as he hit .286 in April with four home runs and 15 RBI while scoring 21 runs. He was mostly playing center field at the time because the Padres had a need there. His effort in center was great but in the end he lacked the natural ability to play the position.
Myers was hurt on Mother’s Day in Arizona on a slide on the bases. His wrist was a factor the rest of the season as he only amassed 91 more at bats after the injury. A total of 77 of them were in September and October. The wrist injury was devastating for Padres fans as they longed to see a healthy Myers for a complete season.
This 2016 season Myers is to be the Padres starting first baseman. Or at least that is what we have been led to believe. A.J. Preller indicated earlier this winter that the team was prepared to let Myers play first base. Wil Myers himself has even indicated that he prefers to play the position going forward.
His time at first base was productive. He looked comfortable at the position and had no fear charging ground balls and making plays. He will be a work in progress at the position, but he is very athletic and should have no problem with the transition.
With Yonder Alonso long gone the position appears to be his to lose. The team could still stick Brett Wallace at first base and play Myers in left field if they feel it necessary. There are options for the team going forward and we have yet to see any major additions for the 2016 team. There are players out there that can be signed if the Padres feel comfortable they can produce.
The starting shortstop search is rumored to be coming to an end soon. With that there could be some more changes to the roster. Stay tuned because those changes could directly effect where Wil Myers plays next season. A full season regardless of where he plays will be a welcome sight for Padres faithful. To say he is a key is a great understatement. He is under team control for the next few seasons and the future of the franchise really depends on his maturity in the league. He has a very high ceiling, the Padres just hope he reaches it.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
Good article. I believe one of the two reasons Mr. Preller is offering 1B to Wil Myers is to make it as easy as possible for Myers to succeed this year. If he does, it will be good for both Myers and Preller, as well as the Padres.