Is it spring yet?

If only the Game of Thrones slogan was "spring is coming" because that's when the skies become blue and the pitchers and catchers start throwing too. Life is much better in the spring, especially this upcoming year where the San Diego Padres are set to make a legitimate run at a postseason berth.

In 2013, the Padres finished tied for third place with a record of 76-86, 16 games back of the NL West champs, Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres finished with the same exact record from the 2012 season, so I sit back and wonder, did we get better?

The answer is yes and it will begin with the pitching.

San Diego was delivered a major blow when top-10 prospect Casey Kelly underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2013 season joining highly touted pitchers, Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland, already on the disabled list with the same injury. This left the Padres with starters, who on most teams would be back end of the rotation players.

Edinson Volquez and long-time Padre, Clayton Richard, were set to lead the rotation. Volquez had a knack for walking players leading to a lot of runs thus leading to his release from the Padres in August. Richard went out in July with a season-ending shoulder injury while posting less-than-stellar results. Both pitchers had ERA's over six.

The third starting pitcher, Jason Marquis, was having a great first half going 9-4 and garnering All Star buzz. Unfortunately, Marquis went down after two starts post All Star break leaving yet another starting pitcher on the DL.

The biggest surprise last season was Andrew Cashner's emergence as the Padres number one starter. His 100-mph fastball was electric and un-hittable at times.

So what do we have for 2014 in terms of pitching. For one, a high turnover from the opening day staff that trotted out this past April.

For the first time since the Jake Peavy era, the Padres have true top of the rotation pitchers. Cashner, who is now entering his prime, should improve on his 10-9, 3.09 ERA he posted in 2013.

Joining Cashner at the top is newly acquired Josh Johnson. The 29 year old, former Blue Jay and Marlin, has made the All Star game twice, most recently in 2010. Johnson signed a one year contract and should thrive in the spacious Petco Park after posting a 2-8 record in the competitive AL East.

In what was arguably the best acquisition of the season, the Padres traded for starting pitcher Ian Kennedy from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline. Kennedy was having an absymal season with the Dbacks before joining the Padres rotation. He finished the second half 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA.

The last two spots in the rotation seem to be up for grabs.

Last season, Tyson Ross came out of the bullpen to perform well as a starter posting a 3.18 ERA in 16 starts. The always reliable Eric Stults was the only pitcher to go over 200 innings for the Padres. His 11 wins was most on the team.

Other pitchers vying for spots in the Padres starting rotation are Luebke, Wieland, Robbie Erlin and Burch Smith. Erlin and Smith pitched in the second half of last season showing promise yet weakness at times.

Long-shot pitchers include top prospects Max Fried and Matt Wisler and long relief pitchers Anthony Bass and Tim Stauffer.  Kelly will also come off the disabled list at some point this season.

Prediction:  My prediction for the five man pitching rotation is Johnson, Cashner, Kennedy, Ross and Luebke. The pitching depth for the Padres allows them to be flexible. They may even implore a six man rotation like they did in September where they had positive results.

I will evaluate the potential starting lineup for the San Diego Padres in my next blog post. For now, check out  http://www.statehornet.com/ to read my articles on the Sacramento State football team.