Well as for me I'm kind of sad to see Nick sent down. In spring training he was one our best hitters, what went wrong? I always thought Nick would turn it around sometime this year. He sure was hard to watch this year tho. Seemed to come up at just the wrong time and strike out again and again. I hope he finds his stroke and makes it back up at some point in time this year. He calls a good game and has a big gun of an arm, wish him the best of luck.

I would give Nick a couple weeks down there, if anything, dont rush him back.

well he can't be recalled for 10 days unless there is an injury, but I wouldn't be surprised for this to be 3-4 weeks

I would let him marinate down there for awhile. By all accounts he was really pressing. Bud mentioned that he wasn't playing loose and not having fun. He needs to watch a little Bull Durham. It will be interesting to see how he does at AAA....the PCL is definitely hitter friendly (check the league stats...crazy). It certainly would be nice to see him come back up a different hitter (they guy that finished last season hitting .288 would be great).
DW

when guys marinate too long they begin to stew.....LOL

He's stepping up to the plate gripping the bat so tight that sawdust is falling around his feet.. He is trying so hard that everything to do with batting has become an effort.. every player I have ever talked to talks about having relaxed hands when they are in the box.

He is just completely pressing and that almost always leads to failure..

I heard Nick was doing good down there. But what does that really mean? The way this kid is hitting, and Nicks lack of hitting, what would he have to do to get back up and get another chance? I likes Nick a lot but, this kid can pound the ball, haven't seen enough of his arm yet to say much about that. Nick on the other hand has a nice arm and calls a good game too. Still what do you think? What will it take?

Going to the game tonight, 51's vs Tucson. I'll report back anything of note on Nick assuming he plays!

I believe the idea of sending Nick down was done for numerous reasons -

He was struggling so bad that he was not going to work his way out of it here - they gave him an extra 4-5 weeks to do that and nothing was working

If he needed to make mechanical adjustments it is much easier to make them out of the glare of the spotlight and pressure of the major leagues -

If it's not mechanical and he needs to get his head on straight and get some confidence there are few places in the world better to do that than the friendly confines of Tucson/PCL

it also allowed them to get Grandal up which I believe as much as anything was just to see how far away he is from being major league ready - Contrary to what you see posted on this board there are some smart baseball people in the organization and they know not to get too high on his early success - but that said - if he can show he is ready now or by next year they can develop their plans...

I don't know how Byrnes feels about a catching tandem - KT and Hoyer showed a willingness to do it - but that may have been just because Nick wasn't ready and they didn't have another catcher in the system ready and they believed Nick could be the guy...

Unless Grandal becomes Buster Posey I suspect they will do some form of tandem - Baker appears to be an ok hitter but I don't think much of his defensive skills -

Maybe the idea is let Nick rehabilitate his offense - gain some confidence and IF Grandal is showing well to trade Nick because he has some value - get something worthwhile in return and go with Grandal as the main guy and Baker as the back-up -

Nick might flourish in a more hitter friendly park/division -

Cool Tom, thanks that would be great.

What about Nick and Grandal and letting Barker go? At this point doesn't he have more value Hundley?

He's hitting .400 with a double and 3 RBI in 4 games.

I just don't know how Byrnes values Nick
KT and Hoyer seemed to believe in him
Byrnes gave him the extension so that SEEMS to say something
But he may not have the patience
My guess is it will wind up Nick and Yas

Nick isn't making too much to be a backup.

As you know, catchers don't play everyday and Nick will still get his share of starts.

Grandal is new to professional ball and likely doesn't have the stamina built up for the summer grind.

Grandal isn't a finished product behind the plate and could use some mentoring.

Two quality catchers is a necessity IMO.

i was gonna say something similar. if anything, the torrealba/hundley pairing showed jst how important having two capable catchers is, plus...less starts keeps them fresher.

by the time grandal gets to be too expensive to have two high priced catchers, nick will probably be gone.

If Hundley could help develop Grandal's defense, you would really have a special player there.

Hundley make tell him "it's on now - and may the best man win - learn from someone else pal - I am not here to teach you"...LOL

I seem to remember Grandal making some comments of not being happy that the Padres had signed Nick to an extension - and asking why they traded for him.... or something like that - maybe it was more subltle than that

I don't think Nick is that kind of person. Something tells me he would embrace that role if that's what the Padres expect of him.

I suspect you are right
Depending on how he took Grandal's comments
Obviously he had veteran guys helping him at every turn and in one of the more recent one's, Torrealba wanted to be a starter too and Nick gave him a lot of praise for his unselfish help...
He'd probably be a team guy while here but ask out at soon as possible

Nick seems like a stand up guy. I couldn't see him giving Grandal the "Brett Favre to Aaron ROdgers" treament.