On Friar, An NBC 7 Padres Podcast

Dismal. Awful. Underachieving. Uninspiring. Frustrating. Mystifying. All these words apply to the Padres offense in 2023. While many people both inside and outside the organization are trying to figure out why one of the game's best collection of talent cannot seem to figure out how to score enough runs to support a pitching staff that's been among the league's best this season. On Friar is availa...

After dropping four of five and two straight against the Twins Bob Melvin aired his grievances. Derek and Darnay discuss a team that needs a new approach at the plate. Derek takes a look at some telling trends. Why have they struggled so much in big spots? On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questi...

The vibes are much improved in the Padres clubhouse. Derek and Darnay get insight on the squad and the upcoming series with the Dodgers from Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser. How much credit does Fernando Tatis Jr. deserve for the team’s turnaround? Blake Snell had his best start, and Juan Soto is swinging a hot bat – have those guys turned it around? On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new epis...

Padres manager Bob Melvin said after his club scored just two runs in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday afternoon that his team is one hit away. He's frustrated. We're all frustrated. After 27 games we need to ask: when will that one hit start coming? The On Friar Podcast discusses what's up with the Friars bats. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tw...

Juan Soto and Manny Machado are still searching for solutions to their season-long slumps. Neither MVP finalist has hit his stride at the plate yet. In fact, both are off to the worst starts of their big league careers. It is NOT for lack of trying. Both players are spending extra time working on their swings, taking extra batting practice, trying to unlock the production we've seen their entire c...

After 564 days, three surgeries, and one 80-game steroid suspension Fernando Tatis Jr. is back in the Padres lineup. The numbers do not begin to tell the story. Luckily, the On Friar Podcast is here to do just that. Derek Togerson and Darnay Tripp discuss his night, share sights from Thursday in Arizona and hear some of what the 24-year-old had to say pregame. On Friar is available on YouTube! Wat...

One of their starting pitchers is, once again, not living up his potential and it's costing San Diego wins. What is really wrong with Blake Snell? Is it another early-season slump and the dominant lefty will emerge soon? Or are there signs that point to his electric stuff losing some of its effectiveness? The OnFriar Podcast looks into the metrics and takes a few cues from the skipper to try and f...

Darnay caught up with Jim Russell of SD Sports 760 after the Padres’ continued their sluggish start in Atlanta. Blake Snell got roughed up – will his season follow a similar pattern to the last two? What will correct itself over the next two months – Snell or the bullpen? The guys shared their thoughts on a rotation that’s waiting to reach full strength, and a group of relievers that’s off to a ro...

The most highly anticipated season in club history is almost here. Derek sets the scene from Peoria. He and Darnay talk about Yu Darvish’s return and his readiness for the season. What will the rotation look like to start the season? Austin Nola’s nose is doing surprisingly well – his status and a season of opportunity for Luis Campusano. 📺 On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes her...

Some familiar faces are returning to the Padres from the WBC – where one particular star continued to turn heads. Derek and Darnay discussed the good from the World Baseball Classic: Juan Soto mashing, as well as the not so good: Yu Darvish’s odd appearance, and the ugly: a disappointing sight for an MLB star. The guys discuss the Edwin Diaz injury. They also ponder Joe Musgrove’s status, the stat...

All things considered, things are pretty boring at Padres Spring Training these days. That's exactly how they should be. A team with legitimate World Series aspirations (which the Padres absolutely have) is in a good spot if it gets to this part of the Cactus League schedule and there isn't a whole lot to talk about. There are really only a couple of storylines going that don't involve kettlebells...

On paper, the Padres have one of the most talented Major League Baseball teams of the last 30 years. But, will it become a great team or just be a collection of great players? The OnFriar Podcast got a take from Padres analyst and broadcaster Bob Scanlan, one of the most respected and dialed in members of the San Diego media. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the...

Sunday brought the news Padres fans had been hoping for. Derek and Darnay discuss Manny Machado's new deal. The championship window is wide open for the foreseeable future. How do the financials help the club in their pursuit of top flight talent? And what does the latest long term, big money deal say about the Padres and their front office? On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes her...

We could be on the doorstep of a special year in San Diego. Darnay and Derek discuss excitement for seeing Fernando Tatis Jr. back in game action and the plan for the 24-year-old. Then they get into Manny Machado’s future and negotiations on a long term contract – how much money is realistic, and where it could come from. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conv...

During the first week of Spring Training Darnay caught up with MLB.com Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell, 97.3 pre and postgame host Sam Levitt, and beat writer for The Athletic Dennis Lin. They discussed Manny's future, sustainability, Tatis' return, the six-man rotation, Jackson Merrill and more. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tweet your Pad...

In another Spring Training edition of the pod Darnay shares what he’s seen and heard in Peoria with Derek. Michael Wacha is officially a Padre, thoughts on his addition and the likelihood of a six-man rotation. Luis Campusano has the best opportunity of his young career, and spoke to reporters about his progress. Jackson Merrill is now the biggest name in the Padres’ system, and is motivated to ge...

The first official workout day for the Padres included the addition of a veteran pitcher and key players at new positions. Darnay shares his observations from Peoria with Todd. Michael Wacha will provide an answer to the questions about the team’s pitching depth. Will the six man rotation be back in 2023? On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tweet y...

Yu Darvish is in position to finish his career in San Diego. Derek and Darnay discuss why the 36-year-old is likely to age gracefully. With the righty taken care of, is Manny next? Some thoughts on a potential extension for the All-Star third baseman. The guys weighed in on the Spring Training topics that will be top of mind beginning next week, before being joined by Football Night in San Diego a...

The Padres are the hottest ticket in baseball, and not just in San Diego. Just how much hype is surrounding this team? The OnFriar Podcast talked with Padres C.E.O. Erik Greupner to get a read on ticket sales, why they increased giveaways, and what owner Peter Seidler is really like behind the scenes. 📺 On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tweet yo...

The Padres landed the #1 prospect on the international market, a 16-year-old catcher named Ethan Salas. The scouts say he's going to be special. The OnFriar Podcast looks at comps, historical examples, and most importantly the player himself to see just how excited we should be about one of the most hyped catching prospects to come along in years. 📺 On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new epi...

For years, Padres fans really only had potential to hang their hats on. San Diego's minor league system was regarded as one of the best in the game for a good while. Now, the big league club is expected to compete for a World Series title. But, that certainly does not mean we can take our eyes off the farm. Still the lifeblood of a big league ballclub, the minor leagues can be the difference in a...

The Padres are still looking to add to their roster, especially in the starting pitching rotation, and have plenty of options in both free agency and potential trade targets. On the first OnFriar Podcast of 2023, NBC 7's Derek Togerson and Darnay Tripp dive into who's out there, who the Padres are looking at, and some under-the-radar ideas that deserve attention. On Friar is available on YouTube!...

2022 was a fun one for the Friar Faithful. How much more enjoyable will 2023 be? The last On Friar Podcast of the year takes a quick look back at the season that was then dives head first into what we can expect in the coming year. Which of their signings will have the biggest immediate impact (it's not the one you're thinking)? How many more moves will AJ Preller make and who are the targets? Who...

The Padres added Seth Lugo and Matt Carpenter to the mix. They're not splashy names right now, but could they be the missing pieces to a World Series title? The OnFriar Podcast discusses that, whether or not Wil Myers should have been allowed to go to Cincinnati, and what on earth are the Giants thinking??? 📺 On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here . To join the conversation, tw...

This off-season Major League Baseball free agency has been dominated by contracts with huge dollar amounts for a lot of years, in some cases 10 year contract. These long deals will take players into their 40's with enormous contracts, Is that smart? What's behind the trend? NBC 7's Derek Togerson and Todd Strain discuss that and more in the On Friar podcast. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch...