On Friar, A San Diego Sportswrap Podcast

A.J. Preller was busy swinging key deals throughout the 2024 that turned the Padres into a contender, and left few familiar names on the farm. So who will we need to know in 2025? Our friend John Conniff from MadFriars returns, stocked with scouting reports on the biggest names in the system. Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries are the gems, who are the most promising prospects behind them? And who has a shot at helping out at the big league level in 2025? Plus some thoughts on the Padres' place in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes.

Everyone's talking about Roki Sasaki! Kyle Glaser returns to give us the lowdown on the young Japanese star. What makes him so good, and what are the Padres' chances of landing him? Plus, Salas and De Vries are getting their fall hacks in - what should we take from their performance? Kyle also weighs in on the key roster questions facing A.J. Preller. And Jackson Merrill for Rookie of the Year?

The offseason is truly underway! Mike Shildt and A.J. Preller were all smiles when they announced Shildt's two-year extension. Has the Padres' GM finally found his skipper? Derek and Darnay share their thoughts on the news we expected. Do they have any chance of keeping Ha-Seong Kim? What's the forecast for Jurickson Profar? Preller spoke at GM meetings. The guys share some early targets on the free agent market.

Greg Garcia is back! How did he feel seeing the Dodgers win the World Series? He shares his professional breakdown of the Yankees' meltdown. Greg was right about Mike Shildt! How does he evaluate the Padres' season? What was his favorite part of 2024? He shares his thoughts on Jackson Merrill and Jurickson Profar, and offers an outlook on the 2025 Padres.

A.J. Preller seemed to push all the right buttons in 2024, and it got the Padres back to the postseason. Now can they make it back to back trips to the playoffs? Preller wrapped up their bounce back season and began to look ahead to 2025 in a lengthy chat with reporters. Will they extend Mike Shildt? What about Arraez, Cease, King and Merrill? Where do things stand with Ha-Seong Kim and what does he expect from Xander Bogaerts? And how much dough will he have to spend? Derek and Darnay discuss the big talking points.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

We've all had time to digest a tough finish to a really, really good campaign. Derek and Darnay put a bow on 2024 - a season that saw the franchise take important strides, despite a disappointing ending. Things are looking good for 2025, but as always there are tough questions that need to be answered. Profar? Higgy? Kim? Scott? Niebla! The guys set the table for the offseason.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

That one will sting all offseason. With the exception of two pitches Yu Darvish was masterful. But for the second straight game the Padres' offense never showed up. The Dodgers ended one of the best seasons San Diego has ever had, with a Game 5 shutout. What went wrong the last couple games? Should Shildt have pulled Darvish after six? Would it have even mattered? And how do we process a painful end to a terrific season?On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

That was a bummer. Dylan Cease didn't have it and the Dodgers piled it on to force a series deciding fifth game Friday at Dodger Stadium. Mookie Betts had another home run swing. Will Smith and Gavin Lux also went yard on a night that the Padres' bats went down without a fight. What happened to Mike Shildt's offense? Yu Darvish will be on the mound with the season on the line. How should we feel after this series' second major momentum swing?On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

What. A. Game. The Padres exploded for six runs in the second inning, and that was enough to beat the Dodgers in Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead. Once again they've got a chance to clinch a spot in the NLCS at Petco Park! Fernando Tatis Jr. went deep! Freight train! Suarez for four outs! The bullpen! Plus plenty of intrigue leading into Tuesday night. Scenes!On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

Despite a hot start from the Padres at the plate, the Dodgers came out of a high stress NLDS opener with a 7-5 win. Manny homered and Xander Bogaerts came to life. But Dylan Cease struggled, especially against a portion of the L.A. lineup where you can't afford to struggle. There were massive missed opportunities in the 8th. Machado had a costly error. Jackson Merrill had a rare misplay in the outfield. Mike Shildt walked Mookie Betts with two strikes. Darnay and Fernando digest the loss.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

It's the series everyone was hoping for. Padres and Dodgers for the NLDS once again! Darnay has Jim Russell in to look ahead to the rematch of the 2022 classic. Any news on Joe Musgrove? Dodgers make a pitching switch. Higgy has heated up. What do we take from the season series? What did we learn from their last meeting? And what on earth is gonna happen?On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

The Padres are NLDS bound for the second time in three years! An explosive second inning ended Max Fried's day and put them in control of Game 2 and the series against Atlanta. But the vibes took a hit when Joe Musgrove exited early with an elbow ailment. Higgy homered again. Jackson Barrel did Rookie of the year things. Suarez and the bullpen got tested against a resilient Braves club.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

That was fun! Padres blanked the Braves on an electric night at Petco Park. Michael King shoved, and Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a very Fernando Tatis Jr. homer in the 4-0 win. Darnay relives the Padres' return to the postseason - from the atmosphere, King's historic outing, two loud swings and a very promising start to October. Hear what the club had to say after the win.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

After a hectic bonus day of regular season baseball the Padres landed a visit from Atlanta in the Wild Card series. Darnay previews the series with Kyle Glaser. What impact will Monday's doubleheader have on the series? What is Chris Sale's status? What did we learn from their regular season meetings? Michael King gets the opener, while Yu Darvish gets bullpen duty. And who might play hero for the Padres at Petco Park?On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

Tuesday at Dodger Stadium was fun. The last two nights? Not so much. Los Angeles pummeled the Padres in Thursday's finale, and in doing so secured the NL West crown. The bullpen was spotty and the lineup is slumping. Now the Friars have work to do to secure homefield advantage at Petco Park. What does the playoff picture look like, and how worried should we be after the last couple days? Starting pitching is still rock solid, but some key bats have cooled off. Darnay and Todd discuss.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

The Padres didn't pop bottles at Petco Park, but they handled business on their end - and now have one of their biggest weeks ahead of them. At the very least they could be a Wild Card team. At most - the NL's top seed is still in play (even if it's a longshot). Fernando Tatis Jr. had another walk off, Jurickson Profar is getting toasty again, starters have been sharp, and the Faithful has come out in record numbers. The guys discuss the final home series of the regular season, and the possibilities ahead.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

As the playoff race tightened up the Padres heated up. On the heels of an impressive series win over Houston -and ahead of a weekend that could see them clinch a playoff spot at Petco - Darnay has Sports Illustrated Senior writer and Padres diehard Ryan Phillips in to examine a squad that seems to be hitting its stride at just the right time. Dylan Cease capped a week where starters were on point. Manny Machado is playing like an MVP and Fernando Tatis Jr. has had a power surge. On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

The Padres have spun their wheels, while the Mets have gotten hot and suddenly the NL Wild Card race is neck and neck. Derek and Darnay look back on an up and down week, and ahead to a weekend that could have a big impact on the playoff push. What does the team need to do to cement a postseason spot? Fernando Tatis Jr. has heated up, while others have cooled off. But the staff has had some tough nights. Now scoreboard watching season is upon us.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

Yu Darvish made his long awaited return Wednesday, two days after Fernando Tatis Jr. got back on the field. Meanwhile Joe Musgrove is straight up shoving. The Padres are loading up for the home stretch. Jackson Merrill keeps coming up huge. Manny is on the doorstep of history. And Luis Arraez just refuses to strike out. Fresh out of the clubhouse Todd lets Darnay know what the squad had to say after Darvish's start, and the guys discuss the promising state of affairs with a few weeks to go.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.

The Padres dropped a pair in St. Louis and have cooled off just a touch after a scorching stretch. Darnay and Todd provide a vibe check as a challenging stretch takes them into the final month of the season. Merrill keeps mashing, Machado has played dazzling defense and is approaching a franchise record. But key bats have gone cold, and the bullpen has had to pick up some slack. Fortunately help appears to be on the way though in the form of Darvish and Tatis.On Friar is available on YouTube! Watch new episodes here.To join the conversation, tweet your Padres or San Diego sports thoughts and questions to Darnay (@DarnayTripp), Derek (@DerekNBCSD) and Todd (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD).Catch NBC 7's Padres analysis and more San Diego sports coverage at NBC7.com/SportsWrap. Sports Wrap's weekly TV show airs Sunday night on NBC 7 San Diego at 11:35pm.