The first month of the season for the Padres went the way most people thought it would record wise as the team currently sits in last place in the NL West with an 11-21 record. However despite this poor start, there are been quite a few positives about this team. As the team gets ready for its three-game Mexico series vs the Dodgers, let's take a look at some of the positives and negatives of April for the Friars.  

Positives

Christian Villanueva: April’s NL Rookie of the Month absolutely tore the cover off the ball in the first month of the season. The Mexican born third baseman hit .321 with 8 home runs and 19 RBI’s. This included a three home run performance vs the Rockies on April 4th. The Padres entered the season with questions at third base but Villanueva's performances this season have certainly answered them.  

Eric Hosmer: Although it was a bit of a slow start for the Padres $144 Million first basemen, Eric Hosmer has really come on of late. Over the last seven games, Hosmer is hitting .500 with a .618 OBP and a .846 slugging percentage. His averages has climbed back over .300 and has six multi hit games in his last seven. He has reached base 21 times in his last 34 plate appearances.

Joey Lucchesi: There were certainly questions about the Padres pitching staff going into the season but Joey Lucchesi has been the answer to some of those questions. The rookie starter is 3-1 in 6 starts this season with a 2.78 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

Tyson Ross: Ross has answered other questions with the Padres starting rotation as he has posted a 2-2 record in 6 starts. His ERA is 3.28 and he leads the team in strikeouts with 40. He came within four outs of the first no-hitter in Padres history on April 20th, and despite losing the no-hitter has been a stable arm in the rotation.

Franchy Cordero: Cordero is second on the team with 6 home runs and 13 RBI’s. 2 of his 6 home runs have an exit velocity of over 115 MPH.  

Negatives

Clayton Richard: The Padres opening day starter has been dreadful this season, posting a 1-4 record in 7 starts with a 6.21 ERA.

Strikeouts: The Padres offense leads Major League Baseball with 324 strikeouts.

Slows starts: The Padres are 9-1 this season when they score first. They are 2-20 in all other games.

Injuries: Wil Myers is on the DL for the second time this season. Both Hunter Renfroe and and Austin Hedges are currently on the DL. Manny Margot has spent time of the DL.

Overall outlook

This Padres team has been exactly what I expected it to be for the most part. Up and down pitching, exciting young players and last place baseball. The month of May starts out with an interesting three game series vs the Dodgers in Monterrey, Mexico.  Joey Lucchesi (3-1, 2.78 ERA) takes the ball on Friday night and Bryan Mitchell (0-3, 6.07 ERA) will be on the mound on Saturday. Following this series, the Padres will be back at Petco Park for a homestand vs the Washington National, St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies.