MLB Spring Training 2017: Padres players have arrived in Peoria

It's finally here! Spring Training officially starts today, as Padres pitchers and catchers (and the especially eager position players) report to Peoria Sports Complex for duty. From an outsiders' perspective, this day is probably not too exciting. It's more administrative than anything, with players getting their locker assignments and such, just settling into their new home for the next month and a half. But for us baseball-starved fans who have been counting down the days, it's almost like Christmas (or whichever your favorite holiday is).

See, just like on Christmas morning, I always wake up on Pitchers & Catchers Reporting Day super excited. But instead of running to the tree to see what Santa brought me, I grab my phone and scan Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat for updates from the Padres and different members of the media. There's something about watching 10-second clips of questionable quality that show players arriving at the Spring Training Complex and waving at the cameraperson. It just gets me all happy.

This morning, the first player sighting from the Padres was that of pitcher Christian Bethancourt and outfielder Manny Margot. They were followed closely by hitting coach Alan Zinter.

Shortly after, the Padres caught catcher Austin Hedges sipping on his morning coffee.

A few more Padres pitchers made their way to the complex, including the team's longest-tenured player, Robbie Erlin.

I'll continue to update this post as more players arrive. I'm particularly looking forward to see which of the other position players get there today. Tomorrow the workouts will get underway, and we'll see these guys in action for the first time. On Friday, the remaining position players will be due in Peoria, and on Saturday the first full-squad workout will take place.

It's really happening! Padres in 2017!

UPDATES:

The early bird position players got to work right away.

And while the first official workouts don't begin until tomorrow, the pitchers and catchers started warming up today.

And naturally, skipper Andy Green met with the media and answered some questions.

First day of Spring Training is in the books!