Ten video games into the 2025 MLB season is a really small pattern dimension for any participant. However a fast have a look at the early season stats present a obtrusive hole between Yuli Gurriel/Jason Heyward and the opposite eleven place gamers on the each day roster.
Earlier than the primary recreation towards the Atlanta Braves, the Padres optioned Connor Joe, Oscar Gonzalez and designated Eguy Rosaio and Tyler Wade with a view to preserve Gurriel. Heyward was signed particularly to offer veteran management and defensive stability in left area. The necessity to platoon Heyward with a right-handed bat was crammed by Brandon Lockridge.
The Padres have began the season properly, sweeping their seven-game homestand however then shedding two of three in Chicago. Surprisingly, the catching tandem of Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado has carried out above expectations to this point, hitting a mixed .241/.290/.356 with one HR. With the Padres emphasizing protection and pitcher dealing with above offense, the 2 have been greater than sufficient.
Gavin Sheets has continued his success from the spring, hitting .385/.407/.577 with one HR and 6 RBI. He has additionally hit two doubles, persevering with with the opposite further base hits he had throughout the spring. He has been the common DH versus right-handed pitchers in addition to pinch hitting.
Gurriel has one hit and one RBI over 13 at-bats, hitting .077/.143/.077. He has struck out in three of these at-bats and hit a number of weak floor balls. He has predominately been the DH versus left-handed pitchers. There’s nonetheless time for him to rally from his horrible begin however the group can’t give him an excessive amount of rope. There are too many different hitters ready within the wings to stick with an nearly 41-year-old for for much longer.
Padres worth veterans
Valuing veteran management and expertise is comprehensible for a group decided to play within the post-season. The group has burdened that a number of instances throughout A.J. Preller’s tenure as common supervisor, signing Rougned Odor, Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter as veteran choices during the last a number of years.
Heyward has seemed pretty misplaced on the plate to this point this season, with 5 strikeouts in his 18 at-bats. His two hits and three RBI have contributed greater than Gurriel however his batting line of .111/.190/.167 might want to enhance quickly. At this level, Gavin Sheets is the one left-handed outfielder on the roster and he’s additionally the first left-handed DH.
Viable choices
Brandon Lockridge made the roster due to his pace, baserunning and defensive capacity. His offensive numbers are from solely twelve video games performed with the Padres final season, so he has not been adequately examined. He hit properly within the minor leagues (.271/.348/.416 throughout all ranges) and it’s doable that the group should discover out quickly what he has on the main league stage.
It may additionally be time for Tirso Ornelas to indicate what he has. He began spring on fireplace however tapered off because the video games went alongside however is left-handed and may very well be given a shot.
Connor Joe, whereas primarily a primary baseman, may also play the outfield. Oscar Gonzalez is a right-handed energy hitter with huge league expertise and is also given a chance.
There’s depth within the minor leagues and the Padres shouldn’t proceed to simply accept underperformance from their two sub-par performers for very lengthy.
