Discussing Josh Bell, Juan Soto, Nick Martinez, Adrian Morejon and more

RF Juan Soto

Recently, Padres manager Bob Melvin shared some new thoughts on recently-acquired hitters Juan Soto and Josh Bell and what multiple innings from Nick Martinez and Adrian Morejon mean to the Padres bullpen.

On Soto: “For a youngster, and it doesn’t seem like he’s a youngster, there are a lot of things that he’s very aware of on the baseball field. At the plate, he’s about as mature a hitter as I’ve seen. The more we see him play the game, it’s the totality of understanding what he needs to do.”

On Bell: “He’s more aggressive. He seems more grounded and taking more aggressive swings. I think at times when you’re not seeing it too well, you’re trying to let it travel a little too far and you’re not getting into your legs as much. Since those early at-bats with us, he’s been much more comfortable at the plate.”

Melvin then turned to the importance of Martinez and Morejon being able to work multiple innings:

“Having those guys capable of pitching more than one inning is a key for us,” said Melvin. “Both guys seem able to get the hitters from both sides out. Robert Suarez is the same, he can give us one-plus as well. It allows you a lot of times not to use another pitcher in that particular game. Like Monday night, when the bullpen is covering four innings, you are going to have a couple guys down the next night. But if you have guys who can give you multiple innings, a lot of times it will save a guy for the following game.”

Melvin on Morejon: “He’s pretty comfortable at the big league level. There’s not a lot that makes him nervous. He’s got a really good fastball that plays both sides and a really good lane for righties as well. His breaking ball seems to be getting better and better. He’s got two of them now, so he’s less predictable. But it’s his fastball that really rules the day for him. He can throw it at the top of the zone, he can throw it at the bottom. He’s got pretty good velocity and hides it as well.”

Melvin on Martinez: “Just his accepting the role and doing what’s best for the team in huge. The stuff has played up in the bullpen, too. His velocity seems to be a tick higher. It’s amazing he can establish three or four pitches as a reliever, which he does. That makes it pretty hard for the hitters to think along with him. He has the curveball, the cutter, the changeup and the fastball. Somehow, he is able to establish them, especially when he is throwing more than one inning. I think it’s more embracing the role and doing what is best for the team. He’s helped us out. He’s a competitor. I don’t think he cares about what role he’s in.”

Melvin said Fernando Tatis Jr.’s shoulder surgery has been delayed until next week. “He’s been sick,” said Melvin. “Non-COVID sick, but it’s delayed the surgery I think they’re talking about early next week.”

Melvin said left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz “is shut down and seeing some doctors … we’ll know more in the next day or so.”

Rehabbing relievers Craig Stammen (Single-A Lake Elsinore) and Pierce Johnson and Tayler Scott (Triple-A El Paso) all worked Wednesday night.