MLB SHOWDOWN 2018 SET -- San Diego Padres

WHEW -- we are almost through the worst of the worst teams remaining in the 2018 set (and 25/30 teams done overall now... that's approximately 450 free MLB Showdown cards for y'all!!). I had a BUNCH of help from Matthew on this team, so major shoutout to him for this squad! Thankfully, the Padres will be much improved in 2019 (and get a sweet brown uniform and corresponding card color in 2020), but if nothing else, this squad looks sharp! While it's no secret that I think MLB Showdown sets tend to be oversaturated with navy and red, I love the way the white pops with the navy for the Padres logo/background, and it's really fun to work in some camo-jersey players. That said..... for drafting purposes, look to the Padres for bullpen help and maybe some affordable power/bench guys late in the draft. Maybe a punt position with plus defense if you're desperate. That said, I think we can all hope the rookie phenom below can actually earn this card one day (stats based on "peak potential" assigned from the milb.com prospect ratings).

Without further ado, the 2018 Padres:

Lineup:

The Padres have one of the weakest lineups in all of Showdown... this is truly a throwback to the Orioles/White Sox/Tigers dark ages, but without many redeeming options for hitting. The most popular player here will almost certainly be the guy thrust into the leadoff spot -- AJ Ellis and his solid OB 9. Reyes and Renfroe do provide a pair of big bopping corner OFs that should find rosters in 12 man drafts. Beyond those three.... just a lot of rough OB 6 and OB 5 hitters. At least the bench has Margot and his Camo-uni, 40 point card with plus fielding and decent speed (?). Austin Hedges looks AWESOME too, thanks to the epic work of Matthew!!! They'll be a lot better next year thanks to the addition of Manny Machado... who gets a special brown Pennant Run card below!

Rotation: The Padres starting pitching staff is...... oof just dreadful. No one here should be drafted, steer clear everyone!!! Again, going to be better next year with Chris Paddack and they've got a TON of ace arms in the pipeline -- but YEESH, this is terrible!

Bullpen: The crown jewel of this brutal team, the bullpen is actually loaded with useful and draftable pitchers! Both Strahm and Yates are Tier 2 studs, especially "no doubles" Yates and his 1-10 K range. Craig Stammen is an awesome #3 option in the bullpen and will find his way onto a team in any 8 team league or up -- solid Tier 3 with high control and no doubles. Hats off to San Diego for this 'pen, proving (a) that the emphasis on bullpens can be a little overrated (I say this as a Brewers fan) and (b) even the worst Showdown teams can still produce some very useful cards!

Again, MAJOR hats off to Matthew for putting the Padres cards together!!! He's been doing amazing work to help get this set finished off. Now only five teams left and the Giants offense is already done, so look for them to come next!