Don't Get Too Comfortable

Aaron Cunningham

Aaron Cunningham, Logan Forsythe, Blake Tekotte: three players who have seen the field for the San Diego Padres in recent games, but may not be here to stay. With Nick Hundley sent down to Triple A Tucson for the game in Las Vegas tonight, fluidity seems to be the theme of the Padres’ dugout. There are not many times in a sport, whether it be baseball, football, or basketball when you see players playing multiple positions at the professional level. The Padres have a plethora of athletes known for their versatility: the more versatile you are, the more valuable you may be. Jorge Cantu has been known to play first, third and shortstop. Kyle Phillips has used a catcher’s glove and a first baseman’s glove. But no one on the Padres’ bench should get comfortable.

“Once you’re here,” manager Bud Black said. “It doesn’t mean you’ll stay. You have to be a day in and day out player.”

Cunningham is the most recent newbie to be brought up and it is not his first time at the rodeo. Last year when he was brought up to the majors he had a .288 batting average from 132 at bats.

“He plays good defense,” Black said of Cunningham. “He’s a good runner and a line drive hitter with a lot of power.”

In Cunningham’s first start for the Padres last year he hit a grand slam over the center field wall off Blue Jays’ Brett Cecil. But even with a start as stellar as that, Cunningham did not stay on the Padres’ starting squad, or even 40-man roster for the entire 2010 season. Will he be able to stay long enough to unpack his bag this time? Stay tuned!