PCL: Versatility of Padres players is a good problem to have

Cabrera could barely believe his eyes: For the first time in exactly 450 career games as a pro, the switch-hitting, base-stealing scrapper was starting at designated hitter.

“I was like, OK,” Cabrera said with a chuckle. “Better to play.”

In the Padres’ ever-changing lineup, Cabrera was merely taking his turn.

Through 75 games, the Padres have started six catchers, eight second basemen, nine shortstops and 10 left fielders. Thursday night, Cabrera became the team’s 12th designated hitter.

The constant turnover is partly a byproduct of Triple-A baseball, where players are constantly being promoted, demoted, rehabbing injuries or getting hurt.

But even by minor-league standards, this year’s Tucson team is unusual.

Seven of the nine Padres who started in their 9-7 victory over Sacramento on Thursday night at Kino Stadium have played at least two positions this season.

The Padres’ second base, shortstop, third base, left field and first base assignments vary, sometimes by the day.

“We’re all kind of in a rotation,” said Logan Forsythe, who started at second base for the second straight night, after playing his previous two games at third. “The more positions you can play, the better. And we’re probably better as a team playing with those types of guys.”

Whether the versatility helps in a sport built on routine, regular at-bats and everyday positions is anyone’s guess. Forsythe played 20 big-league games at second base before being demoted when San Diego activated Orlando Hudson on Sunday. Since then, he and Steve Tolleson have split time between second and third. Cabrera, the team’s usual starting shortstop, was replaced Thursday by Andy Parrino.

The Padres’ shuffle forces at least one regular to the bench every night. Thursday, Eric Patterson, who played second base and all three outfield positions with San Diego earlier this season, was the odd man out. Jarrett Hoffpauir, another utilityman with big-league experience, joined him.

Manager Terry Kennedy said he likes his team’s versatility, even though he’s constantly working to give all his players at-bats. The movable parts are, in baseball parlance, a good problem to have.

“You don’t think so when you have them all, but you do think so when you’re short,” he said. “I can’t complain when I have extras.

“I have to keep everybody up to date on the positions they can play. There’s a lot of rotating going on.”

Tucson’s logjam could be cleared if San Diego decides to trade off its big-league parts at next month’s deadline. Kyle Blanks profiles as the team’s left fielder of the future, while Patterson, Cabrera or Hoffpauir could be recalled to play the middle infield.

For now, the players are comfortable with the rotation — even if they’re not exactly sure what it means.

“It’s a little hard, but it’s good sometimes, too,” Cabrera said. “You play a lot of positions. That helps.”

Padres starters by the numbers

Through 75 games, the Tucson Padres have started:

6 - Catchers

8 - Second basemen

9 - Shortstops

10 - Left fielders

12 - Designated hitters