Brandon Lockridge is an interesting prospect acquired by Padres
Credit: MiLB
Brandon Lockridge is an under-the-radar addition who could pay dividends for the San Diego Padres this season.
The San Diego Padres made several additions this trade season.
The bullpen was strengthened with the additions of Tanner Scott and Bryan Hoeing from the Marlins.
The team obtained Jason Adam from the Rays, making the bullpen unit one of the best in the entire league.
A.J. Preller also traded for Martin Perez from the Pittsburgh Pirates, providing the team with a veteran presence at the end of the rotation. The whole pitching staff was fortified, but a minor trade for an outfielder may pay off big for the Padres in the near future.
Brandon Lockridge is hardly a household name. The career minor leaguer was acquired from the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Enyel De Los Santos. The Padres made room for the four pitchers obtained this week, and De Los Santos was a victim of the 40-man crunch and sent off to New York after being acquired this past winter from the Guardians.
With Fernando Tatis Jr. still out, the Padres are using a combination of David Peralta and Bryce Johnson in right field. Jurickson Profar and Jackson Merrill are arguably the team’s two best hitters right now, but there is a need for outfield reinforcements. EVT reported that the Padres were looking for outfield help.
With the market stiff and the majority of the Padres prospects dealt for pitching, the Padres thought outside the box for an addition to the roster.
Brandon Lockridge is 27 years old and has never played higher than Triple-A. The six-year minor league player was drafted by the Yankees in the 5th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Troy University.
The right-handed hitter owns a career slash line of .267/.343/.416 with a .759 OPS in 494 games and a little over 2,000 plate appearances. Lockridge is not flashy. He has slugged 43 career homers and cannot be considered a power threat. The scrappy player does get on base and recorded a .405 OBP this season in 217 at-bats for the Yankees Triple-A team. He has also shown more power than ever before with 12 homers on the year. Maybe he figured something out?
The 6-foot outfielder is blessed with top-notch speed, and his 135 stolen bases in the minors prove that fact. Lockridge is considered a plus defender in the outfield, including center field, where he owns a career .992 fielding percentage in over 345 games at the position. He has only committed six errors in over 2,800 innings as a centerfielder, which is very impressive.
In his first game on Thursday night as a member of the Padres organization, Lockridge went 3-for-3 in the leadoff spot and stole two bases for the Chihuahuas. The native of Pensacola, Florida, started the game in left field, as Jose Azocar played center for El Paso. Lockridge did not hesitate to show the franchise what he is capable of doing on the field.
The Padres may or may not call up Lockridge at some point this season.
That really depends on Fernando Tatis Jr.’s health and the production of Bryce Johnson, who is viewed as the backup center fielder and right-handed option in right field. Johnson is 28, and it would not be shocking for the Padres to give Lockridge a shot at some point this summer. They will ride the hot hand.
Again, Brandon Lockridge is not a household name. He is not the next big thing who will be a perennial MLB All-Star. But he is a useful player who will be motivated and thrilled to play at the major league level. His speed aspect is nice coming off the bench; Lockridge also provides a capable centerfielder for the Padres, who are thin at the position.
Stay tuned and keep an eye on Brandon Lockridge in El Paso. His PCL numbers will surely flourish, and it seems like only a matter of time before he makes his major league debut with the Padres in 2024.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
Xander should be moved up to batting third and Jake should be moved down to batting seventh.
The next time the Padres face Nelson from Arizona, Shildt should ask the home plate umpire to check for a substance on the top of the brim of his hat. I noticed before every pitch he squeezes it with the three fingers of his pitching hand after licking his fingers. The brim has a noticeable stain on it.