A Look at the Padres Infielders in Spring Training

Padres Infield Outlook as Spring Training Approaches

With spring training just around the corner, the San Diego Padres are gearing up for the 2025 season. As pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Arizona, on Feb. 12, the team has six weeks to finalize its roster ahead of Opening Day.

Here’s a deep dive into the state of the Padres’ infield.

2024 Recap

Injuries played a major role in shaping the Padres’ season, forcing several role players to step up. Manny Machado began the year as a designated hitter while recovering from offseason elbow surgery, Xander Bogaerts missed over a month with a shoulder fracture, Luis Arraez played through a thumb injury, and Ha-Seong Kim’s season was cut short in August due to a shoulder injury.

Tyler Wade (.524 OPS) became a clubhouse favorite for his versatility, filling in while Machado worked back to full strength. Donovan Solano (.760 OPS) provided a valuable right-handed bat, covering both third and first base during Bogaerts’ and Kim’s absences.

Among the regulars, Bogaerts (.770 OPS) improved offensively after returning from injury but has yet to match his production from his Red Sox days. Kim, after a Gold Glove-winning 2023 season, struggled defensively before his season-ending injury, finishing with a .233/.330/.370 slash line and 11 homers. Bogaerts began 2024 at second base, with Kim at shortstop, but shifted back to short in September, allowing Jake Cronenworth to settle in at second while Arraez rotated between first base and DH.

Despite dealing with a torn thumb ligament, Arraez—acquired in May—opted to sit out the All-Star Game to rest and finished the second half with a scorching .321/.353/.769, securing his third straight batting title. Machado, too, gained momentum as he recovered from surgery, posting an .869 OPS over his final 110 games and an impressive .941 OPS in August as the Padres pushed for a wild-card spot.

Cronenworth was the only regular to stay relatively healthy all season, but his offensive production dipped in the second half, as his .650 OPS after the break overshadowed a promising start.

Current Infield Picture

With Kim now in Tampa Bay, Bogaerts will return to shortstop full-time, with Cronenworth at second and Arraez at first—unless the Padres decide to trade the three-time batting champ and his $14 million salary to address other roster needs.

Machado, now fully recovered, is expected to reclaim his spot at third base. Wade remains a versatile left-handed bat who can play across the infield and outfield.

The departure of Solano in free agency opens the door for Eguy Rosario, the longest-tenured Padre on the 40-man roster, to earn a right-handed bench role. Rosario has hit all five of his big-league home runs against left-handed pitching, boasting a 1.21 OPS versus southpaws. However, he is out of minor-league options, making this a crucial spring for him.

Non-roster invitees—including Mike Brosseau, Niko Goodrum, and Mason McCoy—could also push for bench spots.

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