What we learned from a crazy first-look at the 2021 Padres

The San Diego Padres had arguably the best offseason in baseball and were seen as legitimate threats to knock the Dodgers off their NL West throne. Before this week, they were the only division foe the Rockies had yet to face. Here’s what we learned from the team’s wild first set against the new look Padres.

Ryan McMahon is a Stellar Fielder

I could use writing to try and defend my point but why do that when I have this video?

Or this one?

Ooooorr this one?

And these three gems were all just from yesterday’s doubleheader!

A lot has been made about what McMahon has done at the plate this year (deservedly so) but he’s an absolute stud at third base. We as Rockies fans have gotten used to watching elite play at the hot corner over the years and that’s not about to change just because Nolan is gone.

RyMac has us covered.

Jon Gray Keeps on Keeping On

Jon Gray has by far been the Rockies best pitcher this season and his start yesterday in Game 1 of the doubleheader did nothing to change that. After a tough start in his last outing against Arizona where he gave up four runs in six innings, he came back to go 5 ⅔ innings with only one earned run this go around.

Unfortunately, an error from Alan Trejo prevented Gray from getting out of the sixth and subsequently added three unearned runs to his ledger. Despite the tough luck, Gray continues to impress and will be the anchor for this rotation going forward given the struggles for the rest of the starting staff so far.

COVID is still very much a part of the MLB season

We’re six weeks into the 2021 season and for the most part, things have started to trend in the direction of “normal.” Fans are back in stadiums in a limited capacity, teams are shedding their masks in the dugout when they’ve hit the 85% vaccine benchmark, and no games have been cancelled since Opening Weekend.

It’s the latter part that appeared to be severely in jeopardy late Tuesday night when the Padres were seemingly discovering new cases by the hour. After Fernando Tatís Jr. initially tested positive and Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo were sidelined because of contact tracing before Tuesday’s meeting, Wil Myers tested positive during the game while Eric Hosmer also was pulled in the middle of the action.

According to Padres manager Jayce Tingler, all of the Padres who have tested positive are asymptomatic so far — a slight positive in what is otherwise a very scary story.

The Rockies reached the 85% vaccine threshold in their clubhouse already, meaning their players are most likely safe, but as we’re learning from the Yankees coaching staff, being vaccinated doesn’t guarantee immunity. Fingers crossed this doesn’t bog down the Rockies (or any other team) in the coming days.

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If Rockies deal Story, these clubs are best fits | MLB.com

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

MLB went ahead and ranked the top five teams most likely to trade for Trevor Story this season and unfortunately, the Rockies’ record isn’t going to help push away any of these rumors. The list starts with the Yankees, ends with the Rays and features the Athletics, Reds, and Brewers in between.

If Trev is going somewhere, I hope it’s an American League team so we don’t have to see him wearing the wrong colors as often. We’ve also seen one former Rockie tear it up for the Yankees and that’s been awful so I guess I’m rooting for the Rays if he has to go. No offense Oakland. You guys might be on the move anyhow…

Oakland Athletics to start looking at relocating elsewhere | ESPN.com

The Oakland Athletics announced on Tuesday that they would begin their search for potential new homes following years of failed plans for a new stadium. John Fisher, the owner of the Athletics, reaffirmed his desire to stay in the city of Oakland, despite continued rejections by Oakland city council to break ground on a new complex.

According to the Athletics’ official statement, the team has received MLB’s blessing in their pursuit of a new home. The team has proposed a new $1 billion, privately funded complex, The Howard Terminal Project, which would not only result in a new waterfront stadium, but 3,000 units of affordable housing. Even if that proposal ends up being approved, it likely won’t be open until the 2027 season.

On the farm

The Hartford Yard Goats continued to struggle early on this season falling to 2-6 after losing to the Portland Sea Dogs. On the bright side, Elehuris Montero and Casey Golden both managed to go yard in the game, unfortunately with nobody on base in either instance. Pitching was the big issue in this one as three different Yard Goats hurlers were tagged for at least three runs.

The Spokane Indians managed better pitching than their Double-A partners, but couldn’t get the bats going in their 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians. The loss brought their season record to the same 2-6 as the Yard Goats.

The Fresno Grizzlies were the long bright spot on the farm yesterday with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar knocking in two to help guide the team to a 5-3 win over Visalia, the Diamondbacks Low-A affiliate. With the victory, the Grizzlies improved to 5-3 on the season.

Double-A: Portland Sea Dogs 14, Hartford Yard Goats 3

High-A: Vancouver Canadians 2, Spokane Indians 0

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 5, Visalia Rawhide 3

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