Here is a belated mailbag. (Hey, it’s spring training for everyone.)

Chris Paddack is in minor league minicamp and being monitored — being kept at about 90 percent right now. They’re being smart about his return from Tommy John, because they were extremely excited when they got this kid in the Fernando Rodney deal.

Maybe it’s my heart talking, but I go (right to left) Wil Myers , Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe . It sure seems like Jose Pirela started with the jump on Renfroe, but I have a feeling Renfroe makes a jump in his second spring training. (I don’t know if I’m supposed to have feelings as a beat writer. But you asked, and they gave me this mailbag.)



Interesting phrasing, because I think unless he really makes that jump I referred to and gets on base more, he won’t be seen as a cornerstone.

Here’s the thing about sources, once revealed they are no longer sources. And, um, thanks.

You’re right about routine. But it’s February, and with the schedule change this year (four more in-season off days means season starts early) he wouldn’t be getting into games for a few days anyway in previous years. Right now, I’m going with the idea a man who played 162 games last season knows how to get ready for the season.

Did you know he was one of five players in all of MLB to player every game last year? Do you know the last Padres player to go 162? Answer.

So Ron Fowler phrased his assessment of how Hosmer will help the Padres in a way that seemed like he was ripping Wil Myers. I think that’s a really cynical interpretation. But even if Fowler erred in the phrasing, I am sort of confused at the continued critiques of Fowler’s candor. I am fairly certain fans would be clamoring for an owner who was more forthright if the Padres’ executive chairman didn’t talk. All I can tell you is the man says what is on his mind and means what he says, and that should be valued — especially of someone in his position.

In this case — and this is important — Myers essentially validated what Fowler said.

Not only do I think that would be impossible, it seems the majority of Padres fans have settled in for the next year or so of not expecting too much in the way of results.

Players get mentioned as trade possibilities privately between general managers way more often than we know. Sometimes it gets out.

So why Renfroe? First, he has value. He can hit the ball a mile when he hits it, and he plays a decent right field. I think it is the opinion of some baseball people that the arm far exceeds the other facets of defense. Second, the Padres have an abundance of outfielders and figure to use a platoon with Renfroe anyway, considering his difficulty with right-handers. Third, the Padres value a different kind of hitter – one that doesn’t punch out so much because he chases pitches.

(Let’s remember, I am not a columnist anymore. I’m working hard to stick to facts here. You asked, I answered.)

As for the Rizzo comparison, which many people have warned of, I think that’s going to the extreme here. First, they haven’t traded Renfroe yet. Second, Renfroe has had more time to show himself in the majors than Rizzo did when the Padres made the mistake of bringing him up too early and then giving up too early.

In order of how the top starters are ranked by the “experts” (age in parentheses):

MacKenzie Gore (19); 2. Cal Quantrill (23); 3. Michel Baez (22); 4. Adrian Morejon (18); 5. Anderson Espinoza (19); 6. Logan Allen (20); 7. Joey Lucchesi (24); 8. Eric Lauer (22).

A few days ago, I would have bet a healthy sum Lucchesi would the first one up. I still think that might be the case, but I watched a pretty stellar live BP from Quantrill yesterday. (Lauer and Lucchesi, by the way, go Tuesday against the Mariners . Quantrill might be Thursday.)

So in order of how they might/could/probably project to be in the big leagues:

Lucchesi; 2. Quantrill; 3. Lauer; 4. Baez; 5. Gore; 6. Allen; 7. Morejon; 8. Espinoza.

Before all of them could well be 23-year-old reliever Trey Wingenter, who learned a slider before the ’17 season and was almost unhittable at times in Double-A. He struck out the side around a walk in his only inning Sunday, his first in a major-league spring game. He probably starts in Triple-A , but I bet he’s a quick call-up when needed.

kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com