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San Diego Padres pitching and hitting: 2 truths and 1 lie

By Thomas Conroy |
Aug 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin (front, left) takes the ball from starting pitcher Blake Snell (from, right) during a pitching change in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin (front, left) takes the ball from starting pitcher Blake Snell (from, right) during a pitching change in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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We are two weeks into the 2023 season, and it is too early to form an opinion on the San Diego Padres. Juan Soto will not hit .200 all season. Luis Garcia will not finish with a near 7.00 ERA this season. And the Arizona Diamondbacks will not win the National League West title in a wire-to-wire finish.

But that does not mean the Friar Faithful should refrain from tracking recent trends that have taken place in games. Some of them may not continue much longer. But other trends may turn into noticeable liabilities that force Padres general manager A.J. Preller to make quick-fix trades to shore up those holes.

Here are two truths and one lie about the Friars:

San Diego Padres Truth: Blake Snell early-season struggles continue

For an MLB starting pitcher, beginning the new season strong could springboard him to a career year. But that is not the case for Padres starter Blake Snell, who has labored through his first three starts this season.

Snell’s mound struggles are alarming (0-2, 6.92 ERA) but not surprising. Since his arrival in San Diego, Snell’s first-half pitching numbers greatly contrast with the outcome of his second-half starts. Snell has recorded six quality starts in 20 first-half starts. After the All-Star break, he transforms into a different pitcher with 14 quality starts in 25 second-half starts.

In 2023, opposing hitters have touched him for a .327 BA (batting average) and .405 BABIP (batting average on balls in play). Thankfully, Snell has left 64 percent of those runners on base. Often, the biggest culprit to his early season demise is command issues. Snell misses his spot by nibbling with the corners of home plate. Sometimes, he pigeonholes himself by trying to make the perfect pitch in getting batters out.

It is all about his mindset on the mound. Snell needs to attack the strike zone by trusting his stuff and hitting the catcher’s glove.

PEORIA, AZ – FEBRUARY 24: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres warms up in the outfield before the game during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
PEORIA, AZ – FEBRUARY 24: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres warms up in the outfield before the game during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres Truth: Xander Bogaerts has been everything as advertised

Underrated? Underestimated? Whatever word you want to choose in describing Xander Bogaerts’ hot start to the 2023 season, it would not define how important he is to the Friars early-season success. Bogaerts has done a great job of making a key contribution in several Padres victories. It has been fun to watch him get off to a good start, especially after signing one of the big money free agent deals last winter.

Playoff-contending teams cannot advance into the postseason without an elite defensive shortstop. The addition of Bogaerts’ glove has allowed the Padres to move Fernando Tatis Jr. to the outfield without concern, but his bat has extended the depth of the team’s batting order.
Offensively, Bogaerts is on a fast track to another All-Star Game appearance. In 53 at-bats, he is batting .340 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI. Bogaerts is far ahead of his career average in OBP (.419) and slugging percentage (.623).

Coincidence, not at all. He is motivated to remind his old employers, the Boston Red Sox, of what they are missing in their lineup. It is about time Bogaerts get some recognition as one of the most consistent run producers in the majors today.

No question, he has made an impact in the Friars lineup and on the field defensively.

ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 09: Nelson Cruz #32 of the San Diego Padres celebrates hitting a 3-run home run during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on April 9, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 09: Nelson Cruz #32 of the San Diego Padres celebrates hitting a 3-run home run during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on April 9, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres Lie: Nelson Cruz is washed up

Some may have questioned whether the signing of Nelson Cruz would take valuable at-bats away from the organization’s top-hitting prospects. But we are talking about one of the great home run hitters in the 21st century. The move to San Diego has brought a new lease on his pro career, and it is not hard to recognize that he is tearing the cover off the baseball.

Last season, the 42-year-old part-time designated hitter finished with his lowest home run total (10) since 2008 … and the first two weeks of the season have shown him to regain his power stroke by hitting the ball to all fields. Currently, Cruz is batting .310 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI in 29 ABs. Thankfully, he has climbed out of his 2022 season-long slump.

Cruz does not have much more to prove in his Major League career. All he needs to provide is good but not great offensive production this season. So far, so good for him.

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