So Jeff Wiser, a writer for FanSided’s Diamondbacks site: Venom Strikes, decided we should have a little back and forth before the upcoming Padres/D’Backs series this weekend. I obliged, and we were off. Only thing is this is...
So Jeff Wiser, a writer for FanSided’s Diamondbacks site: Venom Strikes, decided we should have a little back and forth before the upcoming Padres/D’Backs series this weekend. I obliged, and we were off. Only thing is this is definitely going to a Part II after the Padres win the series.
Jeff Wiser: Who is the Padres’ MVP thus far?
Dallas McLaughlin: Well, that’s a loaded question. Most people will just assume it’s Chase Headley, which a case could be made for, but I think is ultimately wrong. I think Yonder Alonso is the numbers MVP. He’s finding his power stroke, his defense gets better with every game, and he’s becoming a fan favorite. I think he’ll finish with at least 20 homeruns and an average hovering around .300. I’ll take that any day of the week. But, the real MVP is Carlos Quentin. He literally messed the Dodgers up so badly mentally, that it’s costing them $214 million dollars to be in last place. That’s something I think everyone can get behind.
DM: Same question to you, but you can’t say Paul Goldschmidt. Ha!
JW: Obviously, Goldy has been incredible thus far and while most people would say it’s been him, I’m going with my bro-crush: Gerardo Parra. Goldschmidt was expected to rake and provide a big part of the offensive punch for the team long before the season began. That comes with the territory when you play first base and are known as a bat-first player. What Parra has done, however, has both been unexpected (by some) and stabilizing. First, a lot of folks never bought into his game at the plate and I’d say he overachieving to a degree right now, but he can spray the ball, take a walk and provide a little bit of pop in the leadoff spot. With Jason Kubel, Cody Ross and Adam Eaton, the supposed starting outfield, all missing time this year, Parra has filled in all over the place magnificently. You couldn’t ask for more out of this guy (except a better SB%).
JW: Dallas, how underrated is Chris Denorfia?
DM: I was actually at the game last night talking about that same thing. He’s a curious case. He’s not young; he’s had a couple chances to stick with the Reds in 2006 and the A’s in 2008. Both times he played well and hit over .280. He’s played well for the Padres, but he’s always looked at as the 4th outfielder, and I wonder why that is. When it appears that Venable and Maybin are having a personal competition to see who could hit under .200, I can’t figure out why Denorfia doesn’t get the everyday nod. Maybe there’s something we don’t know, but I feel like this is definitely the season to figure it out. No use in keeping out of the lineup when it seems like he’s productive every time he’s in it.
DM: to the contrary, how overrated is Martin Prado?
JW: This really saddens me. I have been a big Prado guy for a few years and always tried to own him in fantasy leagues since he provided decent offense and a ton of positional flexibility. Right now, he’s only giving us one of those things. Looking at the numbers, he’s got a career-low BABIP going right now and it’s currently almost 100-points below his career average. That won’t last and he’ll pick it up, but it’s definitely concerning. I thought the 4/$40 extension was a good idea at the time and it likely still is, but the production hasn’t matched the hype thus far. Despite the struggles, he seems to be pretty upbeat and I think he’ll turn it around to a degree.
JW: What are your thoughts of Jedd Gyorko?
DM: I like him. He’ll be a great replacement for Chase Headley. Which, by the way is completely happening. Chase will leave; the real question is how well will Gyorko be playing when it happens. I’m always timid to praise our prospects. Kevin Towers wouldn’t let Sean Burroughs go for the moon, and he ended being a bigger bust than I was in high school. We loved Anthony Rizzo, and then traded him away when it seemed like he couldn’t hit a breaking ball. Yet, we give guys like Venable, Everth Cabrera, and Nick Hundley chance after chance to prove themsel
