The season hasn’t started out the way most San Diego Padres fans would have wanted.
As of now, the team sits with a 4-5 record with a series tie against the Los Angeles Dodgers and a tie against the San Francisco Giants, and it has won just one of three against the St. Louis Cardinals at home.
The offense in particular has shown to be wildly inconsistent. Of the 48 runs San Diego has scored so far, 28 have come in just two games. Although those high-scoring games may have been fun to watch, having your offense perform at a high level once a week is not ideal.
That doesn’t mean everyone has underperformed so far, though. Here are three players who have gone above and beyond to start the season.
Catcher Luis Campusano
Campusano is in a unique situation. Despite being just 25 years old, his successor, MLB.com’s No. 8 prospect Ethan Salas, is being fast-tracked through the Padres farm system. In just a few years, Campusano could lose his position before he even has the chance to solidify himself in it.
It’s become clear, though, that he won’t be going down without a fight. As of now, there’s a strong argument he’s been one of the best hitters for San Diego. With a team-leading .400 batting average, 1.000 on-base plus slugging and 12 hits, he makes his case.
If Campusano can keep putting together a season like this, he would force the Padres to find him a spot within the lineup when Salas makes his way to the majors, whether that’s at designated hitter or a position change.
First baseman Jake Cronenworth
Cronenworth was at the center of many trade rumors this past offseason. After signing his seven-year, $80 million contract in March 2023 and the Padres looking to shed payroll, there was a real possibility he’d be moved from San Diego.
At this point, though, the front office is sure happy it never pulled the trigger.
He’s had 35 at-bats and is tied for a team-leading three doubles, seven runs batted in, tied for second-most hits (10) and has the fourth-best OPS (.762). You also can’t ignore the countless amazing defensive plays he’s already had.
Though he lacks the usual power of a starting first baseman, if he can continue to be a consistently solid hitter, an All-Star appearance could be in his future.
Right-hander Yu Darvish
Darvish has been tasked with being the ace of a starting rotation that also includes Joe Musgrove, Michael King and newly acquired Dylan Cease. That responsibility has suited him perfectly so far despite his 0-1 record.
Through his three starts into 2024, he’s thrown 15.2 innings, which leads the major leagues, while putting together a 2.30 ERA, 1.085 WHIP, an ERA+ of 203 and 16 strikeouts, which leads the National League.
Now at 37 years old and two years into his six-year, $108 million contract, he must continue this same success. If not, the Padres will surely regret giving him such a large contract.
