Notes: Pham blasts two homers; Kim in OF

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Remember when Tommy Pham started 0-for-17 this spring? Believe it or not, that was just a few short weeks ago, even if it already feels like ancient history.

Pham homered in each of his first two at-bats in the Padres' 9-9 tie against the Royals on Monday afternoon -- an opposite-field blast to lead off the game and then a 449-foot moon shot in the top of the third inning.

“That was probably as far as I’ve seen him drive a ball,” Padres manager Jayce Tingler said. “… He’s getting locked in, which is great to see.”

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In the early stages of Spring Training, Pham, who has a rare eye condition called keratoconus, dealt with an issue pertaining to his contact lenses. Monday afternoon’s power display offered the latest reminder that Pham has resolved that issue. And then some.

Since his 0-for-17 start, Pham has pounded out 11 hits in 20 at-bats. Not that there was ever much doubt, but Pham has solidified his starting place in the outfield -- presumably left field.

The Padres have been experimenting with Pham in center field lately, just in case Trent Grisham isn't fully built back from his hamstring strain for Opening Day. Generally speaking, the Padres would prefer to avoid putting Pham in center, but it's possible they'd use him there specifically when a high-strikeout/low-ground-ball starting pitcher is on the mound.

“It’s kind of lined up with his hitting," Tingler said. "I think he’s seeing the ball much better, and I think his jumps and reactions out there have been much better, as well. I do think he’s an option [for center field].”

Pham is coming off a disappointing first season in San Diego in which he posted a slash line of .211/.312/.312 -- all career lows. But Pham is a seven-year vet with a .273/.369/.463 career slash line. If recent results are any indication, that's the version of Pham the Padres think they're getting in 2021.

“The ability to get on base and the ability to do damage and drive the ball -- he’s been looking good,” Tingler said.

Kim to receive outfield reps
Ha-Seong Kim spent seven seasons playing shortstop and third base in the KBO, and he has played infield exclusively in the Cactus League this spring.

"We've just valued getting him comfortable," Tingler said. "We valued getting used to working with his teammates on the infield, first and foremost."

But Tingler noted on Monday that Kim likely will begin to get reps in the outfield -- probably left field -- in the next few days.

The Padres feel Kim is athletic enough to be an extremely valuable utility piece. That value only increases if he can add outfield to his skill set.

Opening Day start a tall order
Tingler was asked again if he could divulge his plans for the Padres' Opening Day starting pitcher. Again, Tingler evaded the question, this time saying only that it would be "someone taller than 6-foot-4."

Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Chris Paddack are all listed at 6-foot-5. Blake Snell, curiously, is listed at 6-foot-4. Tingler, evidently, was unaware of this fact.

"He's 6-5 when you get up on him," Tingler said. "I don't know when they measured him."

OK, so Snell is still in the mix. That said, it's difficult to envision anyone but Darvish taking the ball, barring injury. Darvish is aligned atop the rotation, with Snell, Musgrove, Paddack and Adrian Morejon following him.

Safe to rule out the 5-foot-11 Morejon, at least.

A big Ohtani fan in SD
Jake Cronenworth is perhaps uniquely qualified to evaluate Shohei Ohtani's dazzling two-way performance against the Padres on Sunday afternoon. The Angels' star batted leadoff and went 2-for-2 with a walk while working four innings of one-run ball.

As a result of Cronenworth's breakout 2020 season, the Padres have asked him to focus exclusively on his role as an infielder. That's where he provides the most value.

But in the Rays' system, Cronenworth also spent time pitching. He batted leadoff at Triple-A Durham in 2019, while also starting six games as an opener. Cronenworth also served as the closer at the University of Michigan, after playing infield.

Cronenworth, as you’d probably expect, is among Ohtani's biggest fans.

"I know what it feels like to pitch the first inning and then lead off, or vice versa," Cronenworth said. "He's incredibly talented, hits the ball super hard, runs like a deer, and he hit 101 [on Sunday]. The things he does on the field are just jaw-dropping."