The Padres are hoping for more out of 32-year old righty swinging SS Jason Bartlett in 2012. Bartlett played in 139 games for the Padres last year and he was 136 of 554 (.245 avg, .615 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 2 homers, 40 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He has now played in 860 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 838 of 3,055 (.274 avg, .710 OPS) with 424 runs scored, 31 homers, 282 RBIs and 123 stolen bases. Bartlett had 18 errors in 138 games at SS last year while showing below average range. The Padres expect a lot more out of Bartlett in 2012.

25-year old switch-hitting Everth Cabrera is trying to get back into the good graces of the Padres in 2012. Cabrera played in 2 games for the Padres last year and he was 1 for 8 (.125 avg, .347 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 stolen bases. He also played in 58 games in AAA-ball in which he was 73 of 246 (.297 avg, .772 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 2 homers, 15 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Cabrera has now played in 181 games in his first three years with the Padres and he is 141 of 597 (.236 avg, .647 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 3 homers, 53 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Cabrera played in 2 error-free games at SS for the Padres last year.

26-year old switch-hitting Andy Parrino played in 24 games for the Padres last year and he was 8 for 44 (.182 avg, .532 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He also played in 88 games in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 96 of 305 (.315 avg, .905 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 12 homers, 56 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Parrino played in 4 error-free games at SS last year for the Padres.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2012: B-

34-year old switch-hitting Orlando Hudson will be solid if healthy in 2012 for the Padres. Hudson played in 119 games for the Padres last year and he was 98 for 398 (.246 avg, .681 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 7 homers, 43 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,259 games in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 1,266 of 4,565 (.277 avg, .762 OPS) with 627 runs scored, 90 homers, 514 RBIs and 79 stolen bases. Hudson played in 114 games at 2B for the Padres last year and he had 4 errors while showing out of this world range. He could win a Gold Glove if he can stay healthy in 2012.

25-year old righty swinging Logan Forsythe might need surgery on his left foot which could cause him to miss a lot of the 2012 season. He played in 62 games for the Padres last year and he was 32 of 150 (.213 avg, .568 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 0 homers, 12 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He also played in 46 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 58 of 178 (.326 avg, .973 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 8 homers, 34 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Forsythe played in 23 games at 2B last year and he made 4 errors while showing good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2012: B

24-year old lefty swinging Yonder Alonso is going to be the Padres’ starting 1B in 2012. He came over as one of the big keys in the Mat Latos deal with the Reds over the winter. Alonso played in 47 games for the Reds last year and he was 29 for 88 (.330 avg, .943 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 5 homers and 15 RBIs. Alonso also played in 91 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 106 of 358 (.296 avg, .860 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 12 homers, 56 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He has now played in 69 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 35 for 117 (.299 avg, .833 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 homers and 18 RBIs. Alonso didn’t make any errors in 3 games at 1B last year for the Reds. He is an average defensive 1B at best.

27-year old righty Jesus Guzman finally burst onto the scene in the majors in 2011. He played in 76 games for the Padres last year and he was 77 for 247 (.312 avg, .847 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 5 homers, 44 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Guzman has now played in 88 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 82 for 267 (.307 avg, .821 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 5 homers, 44 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Guzman had 4 errors in 53 games at 1B for the Padres, so he needs to improve defensively. At worst, Guzman will be the Padres’ first bat off the bench in 2012.

25-year old Kyle Blanks and 36-year old Mark Kotsay can also handle playing 1B if the need arises. Blanks played 13 games at 1B for the Padres last year and it’s his natural position. Kotsay will get most of his work in the outfield. He played in 11 error-free games at 1B for the Brewers last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: B

28-year old righty swinging catcher Nick Hundley really played well when he was healthy last year. Hundley played in 82 games for the Padres last year and he was 81 for 281 (.288 avg, .824 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 9 homers, 29 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 305 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 257 for 1,008 (.255 avg, .734 OPS) with 111 runs scored, 30 homers, 126 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Hundley had 6 errors and 4 passed balls last year for the Padres. He threw out 24 of 89 (27%) base stealers and Padres’ pitchers had a 3.53 ERA with him behind the dish.

31-year old lefty swinging John Baker will share time with Hundley behind the plate as long as his elbow is o.k. He played in 16 games for the Marlins last year and he was 2 for 13 (.154 avg, .421 OPS) with 1 RBI. Baker has now played in 212 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 179 of 661 (.271 avg, .757 OPS) with 98 runs scored, 14 homers and 89 RBIs. Baker played in 1 game behind the plate for the Marlins last year and their pitchers had a 3.00 ERA with him behind the plate. If Baker is fully healthy in 2012, he will give the Padres a solid pair of catchers in 2012.

27-year old lefty swinging Kyle Phillips will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball of Baker looks good this spring. Phillips played in 36 games for the Padres last year and he was 13 for 76 (.171 avg, .548 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 10 RBIs. He has now played in 41 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 18 for 94 (.191 avg, .581 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 12 RBIs. Phillips played in 24 games behind the plate for the Padres last year and he had 3 errors and 1 passed ball. Phillips threw out 7 of 29 (24.1%) base stealers last year and Padres’ pitchers had a 3.51 ERA with him behind the plate.

29-year old righty swinging Brad Davis played in 101 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 92 for 344 (.267 avg, .704 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 5 homers, 49 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Davis last played in the majors in 2010 with the Marlins. He played in 33 games in 2010 for the Marlins and he was 23 for 109 (.211 avg, .647 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers, 16 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Davis will begin the 2012 season in the minors.

23-year old switch-hitting Yasmani Grandal was a key part of the return in the Mat Latos deal with the Reds over the winter. Grandal was the Reds’ #4 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America before he was deal to the Padres. Grandal played in 105 games in A+AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 114 of 374 (.305 avg, .901 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 14 homers and 68 RBIs. He has now played in 113 games in his first two years in the minors and he is 122 for 402 (.303 avg, .888 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 14 homers and 69 RBIs. Grandal is the Padres’ catcher of the future but that might not be until 2013.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B-

The days of watching Heath Bell close games for the Padres is over as he signed with the Marlins over the winter. But, the Padres made a shrewd move in dealing with the division rival Rockies for Huston Street. He will take over as the Padres’ closer in 2012. The bullpen might also include Anthony Bass if he loses out on a rotation spot this spring. Here is a look at the Padres’ bullpen for 2012 as it stands right now:

Closer: Huston Street: 28-year old righty Huston Street will be the Padres’ new closer in 2012. He pitched in 62 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 1-4 with 29 saves, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Street has now pitched in 417 games (0 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 30-21 with 178 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Look for Street to have a really good season in 2012 for the Rockies.

Set-Up Man: Andrew Cashner: 25-year old righty Andrew Cashner came to the Padres in a deal with the Cubs over the winter. He pitched in 7 games (1 start) for the Cubs last year and he was 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Cashner has now pitched in 60 games (1 start) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-6 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Padres plan on using Cashner as the set-up man in 2012 as he has outstanding stuff.

Righties: Luke Gregerson: 27-year old Luke Gregerson continued to pitch well for the Padres in 2011. He pitched in 61 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Gregerson has now pitched in 213 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Padres and he is 9-14 with 3 saves, a 3.10 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. The Padres expect Gregerson to have another good year in 2012.

Ernesto Frieri: 26-year old Ernesto Frieri turned in a solid year for the Padres in 2011. Frieri pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 1-2 with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He has now pitched in 94 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Padres and he is 2-3 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Look for Frieri to have another solid year for the Padres in 2012.

Micah Owings: 29-year old Micah Owings is going to be an asset in the bullpen for the Padres as he will be able to work more than an inning when needed. Owings pitched in 33 games (4 starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 8-0 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 132 games (68 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 32-31 with 1 save, a 4.91 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Look for Owings to really benefit from pitching half of his games at Petco Park in 2012.

Dale Thayer: 31-year old Dale Thayer pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has now pitched in 23 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 0-3 with 1 save, a 5.88 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Thayer could be a late bloomer for the Padres.

Brad Boxberger: 23-year old Brad Boxberger was part of the return the Padres got in the Mat Latos deal over the winter. Boxberger pitched in 55 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 2-4 with 11 saves, a 2.03 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He has now pitched in 91 games (13 starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 7-14 with 11 saves, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

Lefties: Josh Spence: 24-year old Josh Spence really pitched well last year both with the Padres and in the minors. He pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-2 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Spence also pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. The Padres are expecting Spence to pitch really well for them once again in 2012.

Joe Thatcher: 30-year old Joe Thatcher pitched in 18 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Thatcher has now pitched in 182 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 4-6 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Thatcher will make the Padres’ opening day pen if he can prove he’s healthy this spring.

Alex Hinshaw: 29-year old Alex Hinshaw pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 2-0 with 1 save, a 4.80 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the Giants. Hinshaw has now pitched in 57 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-1 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Hinshaw will be a longshot to make the Padres’ pen this spring.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: B