Chase Headley Could Have Bigger Season For San Diego Padres In 2013

Chase Headley had the best season of his career in 2012 for the San Diego Padres with 31 home runs and 115 RBI. With the Padres shortening up Petco Park for the 2013 season, Headley could be on track to have a similar or even better season this year. San Diego isn’t going to be a team that wins the National League West but Headley could head up being one of the top players in Major League Baseball before this season ends.

Headley had nearly 700 plate appearances in 2012 for a San Diego team that went 76-86. The thing that impressed me most about Headley from last season was the fact that he was able to hit a bunch of home runs at Petco Park, which is not a home run hitter’s paradise. With the shortened walls this season, those long fly balls that may have been doubles before now will become home runs. That will only increase the offensive production for all the San Diego hitters and after what Headley did last season, you would think Headley may have the chance to get to 40 home runs in 2013.

Headley is likely going to be pitched around a lot since the Padres don’t have a lot of very dangerous hitters in their lineup other than him. That means Headley will need to take advantage of every chance he gets at the plate. Headley has five hits in 11 at-bats during spring training this season going into Saturday’s play so it looks like he is ready for the regular season. Hopefully he can continue his hot hitting through the rest of spring training and into the regular season.

Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.