Colorado Rockies opponent insider preview: San Diego Padres

Today, we continue our look around the National League West at the opponents who will be battling the Colorado Rockies for the division crown. This time, we’re stopping in San Diego to visit with our FanSided colleagues from Friars On Base, co-experts Tim Ryder and Nicholas Stevens.

We are asking them for their predictions on the season as well as the players who could post problems for the Rockies in 2018.

Rox Pile: Who do you see as the “surprise player” for the Padres this season and why?

NS: I believe Dinelson Lamet is this year’s surprise player. He seems to have great command of his new curveball and doesn’t get knocked around the second time through a lineup. As long as he can cut down on his more than 4 BB/9, he could really break out in 2018.

TR: My surprise guy is Luis Perdomo. Even though he’s had a tough spring, I have a feeling he’ll really break out this year.

Rox Pile: What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the team?

NS: The strength is going to be the defense. Adding Eric Hosmer and Freddy Galvis were huge, Austin Hedges is one of the best in baseball at his position, and Manuel Margot can fly.

Pitching is obviously the biggest weakness, but there’s so many second- and third-year players that we just aren’t sure how they’re going to pan out offensively so getting on base may be an issue again in 2018.

TR: Defense, as Nick said, should figure to be a huge strength. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team climb into the top-five in National League home runs as a team either, as the power quotient has certainly increased.

I feel that the weakness on this team will be the back-end of the rotation. Whether it’s shored up on an as-needed basis or by committee, I just don’t see enough consistency or experience to have that much faith in their long-term outlook.