The San Diego Padres are in an interesting state of where there organization stands. After locking down there closer Brad Hand to 3 years, signing star 1st basemen Eric Hosmer to 8 years, and for being ranked top 5 in farm systems. The friars are aiming for a playoff team in the next couple years or so with Manuel Margot as there everyday centerfielder. Margot has been highly touted in the Padres organization and was ranked 55 in the 2016 MLB Top 100 prospect list to the idea of Margot coming into show in 2017 and performing at a decent level of competitiveness. Margot played 126 games last year batting 263 with 13 hr's, 7 triples, and 17 stolen bases. He will be entering his sophomore year at the age of 24 with high hopes of improving off his rookie campaign. He has good speed and can cover a lot of grass in the outfield which supplements his weak arm for his defense. His batting is pretty level minded hitting all sides of the field, can work the count up, and when watching his swing you can see he's trying to elevate the ball ever swing so you can expect some more balls leaving the ballpark. The problem with Manuel is at some at-bats you see him waiting too long to get his pitch and can struggle with high velocity pitches. With all the moving parts in his swing, Margot gets behind on pitches and then struggles with pitches elevated or breaking away from him. If Margot can simplify his swing by taking one step off his swing. Then he can have more time to focus more on timing the pitch then timing his swing. If he can make these adjustments and don't get hr friendly then we can make big step in his career. I believe Margot will take his next step to stardom with the help of there new acquisitions in Eric Hosmer and Chase Headley. Eric Hosmer who's been in 2 World Series and at 28 in the prime of his career will help excite Margot and the other young players to run the chase of October and the reunion of Chase Headley helps bring in a veteran presence who has been with the Padres for the majority of his career and has playoff experience with the Yankees from the ALCS last season. Also with top prospects like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Mackenzie Gore on the rise gives Margot and the team excited for what the future holds. With San Diego on the up and up and Margot starting in center. I can project that Margot will play over 130 games batting 265-285 being a 20/20 (hr/sb) hitter and having some top 10 plays in Centerfield. Lets see if Manny's got what it takes help bring San Diego the baseball team they've dreamed out.
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