Me, Elsewhere: Revisiting Some Freakish Starts

My latest Hardball Times article revisits several players who got off to “unusual” starts this year. There isn’t much of a Padres connection, although I suppose there have been rumblings that the club might have interest in Cleveland right-hander Jake Westbrook. Another player featured in the article is Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham. I’ve expressed my desire to see him in a Padres uniform, although I don’t think that will happen. Willingham is an interesting cat, and not just because he can play a little. The guy was taken in the 17th round of the 2000 draft. That’s not Mike Piazza late, but still… To provide some perspective, the Padres have made 43 picks in that round over the years. Four of those players reached the big leagues, although two (Glen Cook, 1980; Brandon Fahey, 1999) never signed with San Diego and a third, Matt Mieske, was traded (with Ricky Bones and Jose Valentin) for Gary Sheffield while still in the minors. Only o...