Padres Spring Training Grade Thus Far

February 22, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (68, left) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres are looking quite impressive in all phases of the game through 4 games, especially Jedd Gyorko and Jeudy Valdez. As a team the Padres have hit 5 home runs in Spring Training, Valdez and Gyorko have 5 of them. These two youngsters also have combined 15 RBI between them and 7 extra base hits. The middle of the infield is looking quite nice for the Padres.

Gyorko has been hitting well. Posting a .400 batting average and has scored 3 runs to go along with his 3 homers and 9 RBI, which lead the Pads. Gyorko had high expectations coming into Spring Traing already, and he hasn’t disappointed at all.  Hitting his homers in all end of the spectrum as well. Gyorko hit a Grand Slam in  San Diego’s Cactus League opener and hit a pinch-hit solo homer in the 7-5 win over the Reds. He’s primarily been playing thirdbase, but San Diego believes he is more than capable of playing secondbase.

Jeudy Valdez has been just as blazing at the plate as anyone in baseball, too. Valdez has been batting .500 (4-8) and all have been extra bases hits, 3 doubles and a home run. He’s drove in 6 runs and he’s scored twice. He’s been quite a surprise and he’s more than likely going to be giving the Padres a good problem. Too many infielders. Of course, this could work in the Padres favor in the future, but maybe they can make it work for this season. There’s nothing wrong with depth in the line up.

Of course, Gyorko and Valdez haven’t been the only Padres playing well. Edison Volquez pitched 2 scoreless and struck out 4 in his Spring Training debut. Forgotten man Kyle Banks is batting .625 for the Padres and his finally healthy. New acquired Fautino De Los Santos struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings in his Padres debut.

However, not everybody has been showing out in Spring Training. Last season’s starting First Basemen, Yonder Alonso is batting an unattractive .111 with a single hit in 9 at bats. Yonder was second on the team last season in RBIs and hits behind Chase Headley and he batted .273. It’s early, but it seems Alonso is struggling at the plate. Another disappointment is Second Basemen, Logan Forsythe. Forsythe is hitless in 6 at bats, and the only good he’s doing is helping Gyorko’s case to start the season at Second Base. Also, last season’s starting Shortstop, Everth Cabrera is struggling at the plate. Posting a .125 average with just one hit in 8 at bats. Good news for these guys, it’s extremely early and they can figure out what’s wrong very easily.

Overall, the Padres get a B- through the first 4 games of Spring Training.