Biggest Spring Standout: San Diego Padres

We continue our look at the NL West, and the biggest spring standouts from each team around the majors. 

The San Diego Padres are expecting big things this season after investing massively in the roster. The lineup is littered with stars, and in fact their entire infield was off representing their countries in the World Baseball Classic for much of camp. Except one. 

First baseman Jake Cronenworth stayed around Peoria for the entirety of the Cactus League, and it paid off with an impressive spring for the first-slash-second baseman. 

Cronenworth, coming off two consecutive All-Star nods, and heading into his 4th major league season, had a monster spring, batting .396 with an 1.140 OPS in a hefty (for spring) 53 plate appearances. He had two homers, six doubles and a triple to help boost his slugging percentage to an impressive .688.

The 28-year-old played through a lingering hip injury last season, which can probably be partially blamed for his .239 average last year, and his power dip from 21 to 17 long balls. 

He seems primed for a big year, hitting in the middle of that star-studded lineup.

Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports