Where Did Slam Diego Go?
Bats are heating up in Southern California.
The three batters with the most home runs in the NL West are currently all members of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They include 3B Max Mucy, RF Mookie Betts, and DH J.D. Martinez.
Division opponents close behind include the San Diego Padres’ stars, Fernando Tatis Jr. with 14 home runs, and Juan Soto with 11.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson (Getty Images)
However, while currently fourth place in the NL West, Padres fans are wondering if the home run production between these two has enough to bring the ‘Slam Diego’ atmosphere back to the Padres.
Having a win percentage below .500 is not what Padres fans had in mind from their team this season.
Now halfway through June, this year’s lineup projections as a whole do not really compare to those of the recent past.
Jake Croneworth Walk-Off Homerun on September 5th, 2021 Photo by Gregory Bull (Getty Images)
2022 San Diego Padres Home Run Leaders:
Manny Machado - 32
Jake Cronenworth - 17
Trent Grisham - 17
Jurickson Profar - 15
Luke Voit - 13
It feels like just yesterday the entire league could not get out of the ‘Crone Zone’, Tatis Jr. was having a surplus of multiple home run games, and Manny Machado was a deep ball threat that fueled the frustration of other NL West fans.
Profar was the batter at the top of the Padres lineup last season and letting him go before the beginning of the season has shown a lack of production. The Padres are now getting used to quick outs and leaving runners in scoring position rather than being on the board first.
Photo by Kelly Gavin (Getty Images)
The lineup today looks much different. When Voit got traded to the Nationals and Profar left the squad after the 2022 season, it is still the first half of the season, neither Machado nor Cronenworth has hit above ten home runs.
This talented lineup could be brought back to life at any moment to make a divisional push, but it is up to their bats how to keep treating the long ball moving forward.
