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2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 San Diego Padres Rookies To Keep An Eye On

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2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 San Diego Padres Rookies To Keep An Eye On

Baseball: Arizona Fall League-Fall Stars Game
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres were one of the most active teams in baseball this offseason leading up to the 2015 campaign. The team made some big-time moves with the hope of putting together a roster that can compete for the postseason this year. However, San Diego still has some intriguing players in the farm system, and here are five rookies to watch closely this spring.

5. Casey Kelly, PItcher

Casey Kelly
Joe Camporeale - USATODAY Sports

5. Casey Kelly, PItcher

Casey Kelly
Joe Camporeale - USATODAY Sports

Kelly made his big league debut in 2012, but he missed all of 2013 after Tommy John surgery and then slowly tried to work his way back in 2014. He should be full strength this spring and ready to prove that he can get back to the big leagues. He may be a bit off San Diego's radar at this point, but with a strong performance this spring, he'll be able to work his way back into the mix with the Padres.

4. Cory Spangenberg, Utility Player

Cory Spangenberg San Diego Padres
Lance Iversen - USATODAY Sports

4. Cory Spangenberg, Utility Player

Cory Spangenberg San Diego Padres
Lance Iversen - USATODAY Sports

Spangenberg made a big league cameo last September and did fairly well, as he makes good contact with the ball and has great speed on the base paths. It'll be tough for him to become an everyday player for the Padres, which is a bit disappointing for a former first-round draft pick, but with good tools and defensive versatility, Spangenberg has a chance to earn a spot on the roster this spring as a super-utility player.

3. Matthew Wisler, Pitcher

San Diego Padres v Milwaukee Brewers
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3. Matthew Wisler, Pitcher

San Diego Padres v Milwaukee Brewers
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Despite an ERA north of five in Triple-A last year, Wisler is still San Diego's top pitching prospect. Those numbers could have been inflated somewhat by the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but it hasn't been too damaging to his prospect status. At the very least, Wisler is rotation depth for the Padres, and with a strong spring he may be able to compete for a spot in the rotation coming out of camp.

2. Rymer Liriano, Outfield

San Diego Padres photo day
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2. Rymer Liriano, Outfield

San Diego Padres photo day
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Liriano's career was temporarily derailed by Tommy John surgery, which is unusual for an outfielder, but he came back strong in 2014 and ended up making a big league cameo late in the season. He has the potential to be a five-tool player and more than enough talent to be an everyday big leaguer. San Diego has a crowded outfield, which could make it tough for him to break in, but he's still a player to watch closely this spring.

1. Austin Hedges, Catcher

San Diego Padres Austin Hedges
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

1. Austin Hedges, Catcher

San Diego Padres Austin Hedges
Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports

Hedges has some work to do offensively, but he has a chance to one day be one of the best defensive catchers in the big leagues. As a non-roster invitee who has yet to reach Triple-A, Hedges isn't a threat to make the big league roster this spring. But it'll be interesting to see how much progress he's made with his bat, and his performance this spring could indicate if he'll be ready for his big league debut before the end of 2015.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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