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In news dropped by a blog rather than the usual sources of Kevin Acee or AJ Cassavell, the Padres are summoning large human baseball masher Franmil Reyes to the big league club. You might have heard Reyes’ name being tossed around Twitter thanks to his most recent exploits of ball destruction: the righty outfielder will come to the Padres leading the minors with 14 home runs in 35 games. The promotion is thought to be due to the amazing hot power streak Reyes has displayed with a 5 game home run streak and a 3 game 2 home run tear. Though the PCL is known for some bandbox stadiums and high elevations the Padres probably want a look to see if Franmil’s tantalizing power will translate on the main stage.
Biggest of the questions due to the call-up is exactly who will be sent down. As of this writing the Padres haven’t made a corresponding move on the 25-man roster. Let’s take a look at the possible options...
Carlos Asuaje
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The diminutive second baseman got off to a decent start to the season but has cooled off significantly and has lost his starting duties to Jose Pirela, he of a slightly better bat and lesser defense. Asuaje is currently slashing .198/.263/.292 and has seen his role limited only to pinch hitting opportunities. With the promotion of Cory Spangenberg (who is capable of backing Pirela) the ticket to El Paso might be ready for Carlos.
Manuel Margot
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Margot has had a rough go of his sophomore season thus far after starting the year cold and having injury added to insult with a baseball to the ribs. Manny is currently sitting on a .202/.246/.316 slash line and has shown some signs of life as of late with a 3 game hitting streak. His demotion from leadoff to 8th spot to El Paso wouldn’t be much of a surprise to many with Franchy Cordero performing really well in left and at the plate. One could see Franchy shifting to center and yielding left to Reyes while Margot gets his confidence back with the Chihuahuas.
Bryan Mitchell
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Probably the Twitter consensus choice to be voted off the island considering his overall performance and rumors of exploding at Andy Green in Mexico. Mitchell has gone from poorly-performing starter to mop-up duty in the bullpen. Mitchell did just ok in his last showing against the Cardinals after Eric Lauer was shellacked, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits over 5 2⁄3 innings. Now that Chase Headley has been designated for assignment many are calling for the same DFA for Mitchell.
Matt Sczcur
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Matt Szczur may see a DFA just based on a roster crunch: the Padres currently are carrying Franchy Cordero, Manuel Margot, a revitalized leadoff-hitting Travis Jankowski, and Jose Pirela (when he’s not playing 2nd, maybe). The team will also have to welcome back Wil Myers when he returns from his lat injury and Hunter Renfroe when he returns from...? The defensive-replacement-pinch-hitting Szczur might be the odd man out just on numbers alone.
Who do you think is most likely going back to El Paso? Do you think a DFA is coming for either Mitchell or Szczur?