Two things have remained consistent since AJ Preller made a splash at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline: newly-acquired Ramón Laureano’s production and Padres skipper Mike Shildt’s lineup construction.

Despite dropping four straight from Aug. 15–18, San Diego is 12-7 since the deadline. Laureano has been central to that push: in 19 games in the brown and gold, the 31-year-old is slashing .333/.385/.597 with three doubles, two triples, and four home runs.

Since the trade deadline, Ramon Laureano's rankings among Padres hitters:

wRC+: 173 (1st)
HR: 4 (1st)
RBI: 12 (1st)
OPS: .981 (1st)
Hits: 20 (1st)
Barrels: 8 (1st)
AVG: .313 (2nd)

Absolute godsend. pic.twitter.com/zL6EHMCGFx

— Nick Lee (@NickLee51) August 20, 2025

Yet, Laureano has only appeared in the top three of the order once, settling instead into the six and seven holes. A question looms: could the Padres maximize his impact by sliding him into the top or middle of the lineup — and what might that look like?

Here are two potential lineup constructions that could enhance Laureano’s production while maintaining balance.

*These lineups include Jackson Merrill (left ankle), who is expected to return in late August.

Laureano bats cleanup:
1. R Fernando Tatis Jr. – RF
2. L Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
3. R Manny Machado – 3B
4. R Ramón Laureano – LF
5. L Jackson Merrill – CF
6. R Xander Bogaerts SS
7. L Luis Arráez – DH
8. L Jake Cronenworth – 2B
9. R Freddy Fermin – C

Laureano profiles as a natural cleanup hitter. Batting fourth is about situational awareness and clutch production, and since arriving in San Diego, he’s thrived in both categories. He leads the Padres in RBI (12) since the deadline and, across his combined time with Baltimore and San Diego, has driven in 35 runs in 88 at-bats with RISP (.786 OPS).

Shildt has kept Luis Arráez locked into the two-spot all season, but the three-time batting champ hasn’t fully clicked in the top of the order. Despite a .289 average, Arráez’s OPS+ sits two percent below league average (98), reflecting his struggles with pitch selection.

Sliding Arráez further down the lineup could benefit both him and the team: pitchers would be forced to stay in the zone and attack him more directly to avoid turning the order over, and the Padres would open space for Laureano’s hot bat in the middle.

If the Padres go down in order in the first inning, Laureano is the spark plug to start the middle of the lineup strong as he posts a .302/.380/.698 slash line with four homers and 7 RBI in 63 at-bats when leading off a frame.

This skillset also opens the door for another potential construction.

Laureano bats leadoff:
1. R Ramón Laureano – LF
2. R Fernando Tatis Jr. – RF
3. R Manny Machado – 3B
4. L Jackson Merrill – CF
5. R Xander Bogaerts – SS
6. L Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
7. R Freddy Fermin – C
8. Jake Cronenworth – 2B
9. Luis Arráez – DH

Fernando Tatis Jr. has been San Diego’s leadoff hitter in almost every one of his starts. After a white-hot April, the 26-year-old has immensely cooled off, particularly in the power department. Since May 28th, Tatis Jr. has connected on just four home runs and sits at 17 for the season (52 RBI).

Sliding Tatis Jr. into the two-hole behind Laureano could give him more RBI opportunities and unlock the historical power stroke the slugger has had with men on base.

Laureano’s ability to reach (.361 OBP) and tally extra-base hits sets the table, while Arráez, hitting ninth, functions as a second leadoff man to extend innings and turn the order.

Whether deployed as a run-producer in the heart of the lineup or as the catalyst at leadoff, Laureano has given the Padres something they have lacked at left field for much of the season: versatility paired with production.

Shildt’s preference for stability has its merits, but with the playoff race tightening, San Diego may benefit from rethinking how best to leverage a bat that’s proven both clutch and tone-setting.

Max Schwartzberg

A San Diegan born and raised, Max Schwartzberg is a diehard Padres fan who created and hosts the YouTube channel Padres Previews, a hub where he passionately delivers Padres news, updates, reactions, and hype videos. At Northeastern, Max broadcasts and writes for baseball, basketball, and hockey. Max dreams of following in the steps of Padres broadcaster and Northeastern alumnus Don Orsillo to become a Major League Baseball announcer.