Three early Padres spring training storylines

Now that most MLB players have reported to spring training, everyone gets a better sense of what a potential lineup could look like. 

There's been lots of coverage of top prospects who could see playing time in the major leagues as well as one superstar making an unexpected position change.

With the Padres having an extremely disappointing 2023 season (82-80 record) where they missed the playoffs, fans are looking to move on and forget. 

With that being said, here are three San Diego storylines so far in spring training that will have major impacts on the 2024 season.

1. Xander Bogaerts and Ha-Seong Kim position swap

After months of speculation on whether Kim would remain on the Padres for 2024, manager Mike Shildt dropped a bomb only a week into spring training. Xander Bogaerts would be moving to second base and Kim would move back to shortstop. 

This change could mean several different things. The most likely meaning is that Bogaerts is the second baseman of the future and if Kim tests free agency after this season, it leaves a prime spot for Padres No. 2 prospect (per MLB.com), shortstop Jackson Merrill, to take over. 

Another scenario is that Kim solidified his spot within the organization and will earn a lengthy contract extension.

After winning a Gold Glove in 2023, Kim and third baseman Manny Machado could form one of the best defensive tandems the MLB has seen in quite some time.

2. Jackson Merrill gets reps at left field

With Merrill set to make his MLB debut this season and the infield seemingly locked in place, San Diego has its eyes set on him in the outfield. 

We already saw it within his minor league career as they've gradually given him more playing time at left field (45 innings in 2023). Now at spring training, many of his defensive workouts have consisted of taking fly balls.

The Padres did reunite with left fielder Jurickson Profar on a one-year deal, but it's unlikely he will be the daily starter. Even after that signing, it means the Friars still have only three outfielders occupying the 40-man roster.

Merrill has been preparing for this scenario for quite a while now. Dennis Lin of The Athletic noted that he spent his offseason working out at left field, center field, shortstop and second base.

3. Joe Musgrove back to full health?

In 2023, Musgrove was extremely effective when he took the mound. He was able to put together 94 innings with a 3.05 ERA and 95 strikeouts. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by a bad case of the injury bug.

He missed the first couple of starts of 2023 due to a toe injury after dropping a kettlebell during a workout and was shut down for the final two months of the season because of shoulder inflammation. Now in 2024, he looks to put that all behind him.

Mike Shildt announced that Musgrove would be the starter for the Padres' first Cactus League game against the Dodgers on Feb. 22.

"He's had a very productive off-season. He's healthy, he's throwing his (live batting practices), he feels great, and he's going to pitch on Thursday," said Shildt per Derek Togerson of NBC 7 San Diego.