The First Annual Anthony Rizzo/Jaff Decker/James Darnell April 2011 Padres Minor League Honor Roll

After last night's glorious 5-2 victory over the Hated Dadgers, the Padres finished April 10-17, 8 games back of the Colorado Rackies. From an offensive standpoint, they played about as poor as they could possibly play, finishing at the bottom of the NL in all three triple-slash categories. These are not numbers for the faint of heart: .211/.293/.308. But that's why I feel some optimism heading into May. The Padres can't continue to hit that poorly - they really can't - and they have 11 games this month against the Pirates, DBacks, and Nationals. Sure, they get the Rockies too, but I'm guessing they finish May just a few games under .500, poised to hit the ground running in June.

In the meantime, and speaking of optimism, let's take a look at the top Padres minor league performances in the month of April. A lot of guys swung some big time wood last month, and a few other guys pitched well, so it would be an oversight not to commend them.

Tucson Padres

1B - Anthony Rizzo: .400/.471/.744
3B - Jesus Guzman: .344/.439/.467
2B - Logan Forsythe: .313/.429/.525
RHP - Jon Leicester: 1-0, 2.84, 11/8, 1.16 WHIP

If Rizzo doesn't make the May Honor Roll, it's because he's raking in the Diago.

San Antonio Missions

3B - James Darnell: .410/.520/.705
CF - Blake Tekotte: .375/.474/.675
OF - Jaff Decker: .316/.449/.759
LF - Dan Robertson: .270/.405/.460
1B - Cody Decker: .298/.337/.714
RF - Sawyer Carroll: .333/.377/.579
C - Kyle Phillips: .344/.362/.500
SS - Beamer Weems: .324/.390/.500
RHP - Anthony Bass: 3-1, 3.45, 18/7, 1.15 WHIP
RHP - Casey Kelly: 2-0, 4.10, 19/9, 1.48 WHIP
RHP - Brad Brach: 7 saves, 3.97, 19/1, .97 WHIP

Who plays second base for the Missions? That guy needs to get his act together (just kidding: it's usually Vinny Belnome who just missed making the April Honor Roll).

Lake Elsinore Storm

3B - Jedd Gyorko: .380/.442/.652
3B - Edinson Rincon: .369/.419/.524
CF - Reymond Fuentes: .306/.344/.400
RHP - Chris Fetter: 1-2, 3.32, 22/2, 1.29 WHIP
RHP - Jerry Sullivan: 3-1, 3.32, 13/8, 1.58 WHIP
RHP - Matt Lollis: 1-4, 5.13, 29/8, 1.14 WHIP
RHP - Erik Hamren, 4 holds, 1.69, 15/1, .66 WHIP

Fuentes: feel free to go ahead and start flashing some power anytime you're ready.

Fort Wayne TinCaps

3B - Jake Blackwood: .321/.360/.631
C - Tommy Medica: .323/.397/.523
RHP - Keyvius Sampson: 3-1, 1.29, 28/8, .67 WHIP
LHP - Mark Hardy: 1-3. 2.31, 13/7, 1.07 WHIP
LHP - Andrew Werner: 1-3, 3.27, 21/6, 1.09 WHIP

The lack of name prospects in the everyday lineup when Tate and Williams are injured is startling. But all hail Keyvius, and a shout out to Peorian Andrew Werner.

The relentless progression of time continues. May starts today.