2020 MLB Season: 5 Most Improved Teams
San Diego Padres
The team made a few improvements but is going to rely on the improvement of their players if they want to contend to make the postseason.
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San Diego improved its on-base potential by trading Hunter Renfroe for Tommy Pham. Pham is going to play left field for the Padres. He is coming off a career year.
In 2019 with Tampa Bay, he had career highs in hits, doubles, stolen bases, and walks.
To play centerfield, the team traded for Trent Grisham from the Milwaukee Brewers. He is just 23 and has a lot of potential.
The team took a chance on Jurickson Profar, the former top prospect. He will be their starting second baseman on Opening Day. He hit 20 home runs for Oakland in 2019.
The Padres need three of their well-paid positions players to improve: Eric Hosmer, Wil Meyers, and Manny Machado. These three had fairly disappointing seasons in 2019. All three of them had an OPS. in the .700’s, which is low for the. If San Diego wants to contend, their veterans need to step up their game.
Christian Paddack and Fernando Tatis Jr. are both set to be healthy and play a full season, which will be huge for San Diego. Tatis Jr. is already a candidate to win the NL MVP.
The team won 70 games in 2019 but is projected to win 86 games during the 2020 MLB season.