Going into the season, it seemed as if the Luis Urias/Fernando Tatis Jr. duo would be the norm for San Diego, but it was far from that for the Padres. Struggles from Urias and injuries of Tatis Jr. kept the duo limited to just 25 games started together.
Offseason additions Greg Garcia and Ian Kinsler made many starts in replacement when the presumed duo were off the active roster.
Here are the middle infielders who made an impact during the season:
Greg Garcia
As an offseason waiver claim, 29-year-old Greg Garcia did more than expected with the little playing time he was given. Garcia played very clutch, hitting .346/.541/.500 (1.041 OPS) with two outs and runners in scoring position (RISP). He also hit .302/.441/.509 (.950 OPS) in high-leverage situations for San Diego.
In the month of May, Garcia hit .286/.375/.413 with eight runs batted in (RBI), five doubles and a home run, which earned him more playing time in June and July before the presumed second baseman returned to the big league club.
However, the season was long and gave time for a period of struggling for the 5-year veteran. He only hit .216 in late and close games and only .236/.348/.312 at home. Garcia also struggled mightily against left-handed pitchers as he only .200 and finished with a on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) percentage of .517.
Garcia struggled mostly during the final two months, posting a .220 batting average (BA) and a .650 OPS as he lost playing time to top prospect Luis Urias.
Garcia had a great comeback year as he earned new career highs in games played (134), plate appearances (372), doubles (13), triples (4), homers (4), walks (53) and total bases (110). The Padres hope he can prove as a reliable bat off the bench and possibly come in as a defensive replacement in late innings for 2020.
Grade: C+
Ian Kinsler
The 2019 free agent signing had expectations going into the season after being named the starting second baseman over prospect Luis Urias. Kinsler’s best month came in May after hitting .254/.303/.521 (.824 OPS) with five long balls and nine extra-base hits.
His best moment came in a very disheartening game in which Kinsler entered off the bench as a pitcher. In the bottom half of the inning, Kinsler swatted a home run and was the only pitcher to hit a homer for the Padres in 2019.
Kinsler’s season was not very bright as he failed to meet the expectations of the team and fans alike. His struggles caused him to play the fewest number of games in one season (87) in his career, which very well caused Kinsler to get career lows in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI’s, stolen bases, walks and total bases. He received career low with a .217/.278/.368 slash line as well.
Ian Kinsler struggled against both handed pitchers, but mostly against lefties as he hit .206/.295/.368. Against right-handers, the 14-year veteran hit .221/.271/.368.
Kinsler signed a two-year deal with the Padres last offseason, but with the Padres looking at other options, it is highly unlikely he returns. Kinsler will likely be released after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
Grade: F
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Fernando Tatis Jr, the former no. 2 prospect in baseball and the shortstop of the present in San Diego. Tatis missed approximately 70 games on the injured list, but still led the team in many stats, including triples (6), batting average (.317), on-base percentage (.379), slugging percentage (.590) and OPS (.969) among those with 300+ plate appearances.
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s individual stats were absolutely insane in 2019, hitting for a .417 batting average (BA) and 1.268 OPS against left-handed pitchers. He hit .323 at home, .312 on the road and .362 when the team won.
Tatis Jr. not only has amazing stats in general, but he was clutch in so many situations. With two outs and RISP, he hit .344/.417/.688. With the team behind, he hit .367/.417/.675. And in high leverage situations, Tatis hit .360/.386/.580.
Tatis Jr.’s worst month came in August and still hit better than a lot of players in San Diego. Tatis hit a measly .255 BA and .843 OPS in 12 games before his season-ending injury.
The second year of the young phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. will surely bring higher expectations for San Diego fans. Maybe a challenge coming forth for Tatis is not getting injured for the season, which quite possibly kept him from winning the N.L. Rookie of the Year honors.
Grade: A
Luis Urias
Luis Urias was the presumed second baseman of the future going into the season. He hit .351/.383/.509 for a .892 OPS against left-handed pitchers. Urias hit two home runs in 189 plate appearances against right-handers while hitting two home runs in just 60 plate appearances against southpaws.
Urias’ best month came in September where he silently hit .300/.371/.425 in 24 games. Half of his extra-base hits came in September when 10 of his 24 RBIs came as well.
However, Urias struggled for most of the season. He hit .097/.300/.194 in July where he walked seven times and reached via a hit just three times. He could not hit against right-handed pitchers, who he hit .177 against.
Urias was hardly clutch as he hit .200 in tied games and .103 in late and close games. He also hit .217 in high-leverage situations, and even hit .207 in low-leverage situations.
Luis Urias has been a top prospect in the Padres farm system for quite some time and has yet to translate his minor league success to the big leagues. The Padres will hope for Urias to change that next season as next season might be his last chance to prove himself.
Grade: D+