The Padres weren’t thinking they found their shortstop of the future when they selected 22-year old switch hitter Everth Cabrera in the Rule 5 Draft last winter. But Cabrera has taken advantage of the huge hole the Padres had at shortstop when the season opened. He has played in 99 games for the Padres this season and he is 94 for 364 (.258 avg, .704 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 2 homers, 31 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He missed a lot of time due to injury this season so it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers he puts up with hopefully a healthy, whole season in 2010 with the Padres.

32-year old righty reliever Heath Bell came into this season with only 2 career saves but he was being asked to replace major league baseball’s All-Time leader in saves Trevor Hoffman. All Bell did was earn himself a trip the the All-Star game with his performance. Bell has pitched in 66 games for the Padres this season and he is 6-4 with 41 saves, a 2.79 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has only allowed 52 hits in 67 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 76 batters showing just how nasty he has been. Bell has been really important to the Padres this season because they have played so many close games.

21-year old righty starting pitcher Mat Latos has a bright future with the Padres. The 6′6″, 225 pound Latos was the Padres’ #2 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 13 games (11 starts) in A+AA ball this season and he was 8-1 with a 1.37 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. He only allowed 42 hits in 72 1/3 innings in the minors this season while whiffing 73 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. Latos then was recalled by the Padres and he has started 10 games for them this season and he is 4-5 with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Latos’ control was a little off with the Padres as he has walked 23 batters in 50 2/3 innings but that’s something he can fix. He only allowed 43 hits while whiffing 39 batters for the Padres showing that he was not intimidated by major league hitters. Look for him to battle for a spot in the starting rotation for the Padres in 2010 next spring.

25-year old righty reliever Luke Gregerson won a job in the bullpen this spring and he has been very solid for the Padres. He has pitched in 67 games for the Padres this season and he is 2-3 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. In 70 innings for the Padres Gregerson has only allowed 58 hits while whiffing 83 batters. He should have a big role in the Padres’ bullpen in the future if he keeps pitching like he is this year.

The Padres decided to give 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Will Venable a big chance after they traded Scott Hairston to the A’s. He has played in 85 games for the Padres this season and he is 70 for 259 (.270 avg, .800 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers, 33 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He will likely get a chance to earn a starting job next spring with the Padres.