Last year, the Padres were a team that many thought would make the postseason. Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth were the headliners.
Despite the star power, they only managed to limp toward an 82-80 record and finished outside the playoff picture. In addition, they had the Cy Young-winning pitcher, Blake Snell, and a dominating closer in Josh Hader. The 2023-2024 offseason had the Padres see the departure of three key contributors in the likes of Snell, Soto and Hader.
This Padres team got better and, now within a playoff push, have already exceeded their win total from last season. How, after losing three key producers, did this team get better?
Garrett Whitley, a Point Loma Nazarene University commuter and former Triple A player in the Phillies, Rays and Brewers organizations said, “People often underestimate the ‘team’ aspect of sports. It’s more than just signing superstars to go hit 40 HR. You need role players, glue guys (personality signings for team chemistry) and the right mix of stars to have success. Jackson Merrill is a great example of this, because without Soto, it’s given him a chance to break out.”
This team has seen a lot of changes over the years, but it’s been a long time since they’ve had a team this good. It takes role players, not just superstars, to create better camaraderie within a team, but is that all that it takes?
There are many elements that truly make a successful team, and the Padres have put those together. They have improved despite the adversity that comes with losing three players.
Chase Mahan, PLNU adjunct professor said, “The coaching this year has done a really good job of creating a culture that cultivates success. If we look at all the successful teams in the past, one thing that has to happen is that the players, the organization, has to have an environment that is consistent with success. Profar has stepped up to be a leader, having him in left field, not just like he’s a great batter, or he’s shown up for San Diego. I think Profar has really stood out as a new leader for this team, which is different from all these other guys.”
Having new leadership has brought about a change in these Padres. Management, along with a veteran presence like Profar has really pushed this team to another level. The coaching staff has really improved from last year to this year and has instilled a fire and confidence into the Padres that was severely lacking in previous years.
In addition, the Padres’ bullpen must be mentioned in its ability to help them win close games. It’s not just gaining leads through hitting that helps a team improve, it’s holding leads in close games that really shapes a team. We see this in the Padres’ dramatic improvement in close games from 2023 to 2024.
2023 1-run games: 9-23
2024 1-run games: 21-18
2023 extra innings-games: 2-12
2024 extra innings-games: 8-1.
Jordan Green, a first-year data science major on the PLNU baseball team, said, “I believe we [the Padres] are better because with all the star talent we had last year, we were trying to coast our way into the playoffs, but this year, with key pieces getting hurt like Bogaerts and Tatis, we really had to kick it into second gear and fight through our at-bats. What I have noticed in the second half is that the Padres get into a lot of deep, long counts, running up the pitcher’s pitch count, ultimately knocking the starter out early.”
There’s many moving parts to creating a winning team. Through the acquisition of role players, better coaching and management and grittier at-bats, the Padres have proven to be a playoff team and have provided fans with an exciting, winning season.
Cade Michaelson