Local ties, elite power metrics, and years of control make Kyle Stowers a smart trade target for the San Diego Padres.

“Who is Kyle Stowers, and why should the Padres target him?”

As the Padres continue to search for answers in left field, an under-the-radar name emerging as a potential solution is Kyle Stowers, a power-hitting outfielder currently with the Miami Marlins.

A native of El Cajon and a former standout at Christian High School, Stowers brings both on-field upside and a strong local connection to the San Diego area. With the Padres receiving some of the worst left-field production in baseball this season, a move for Stowers would be a smart, forward-thinking play.

“Is 2025 just a hot streak or something real?”

In 241 plate appearances this season, Stowers is slashing .272/.339/.465 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, good for a 127 wRC+. But it’s not just surface-level numbers that impress—his advanced metrics back it up. He ranks in the 98th percentile in Barrel%, 92nd percentile in Hard-Hit%, and 86th percentile in xwOBA (expected weighted on-base average). His xSLG (expected slugging percentage) of .531 reflects his ability to produce extra-base hits consistently, and his average exit velocity sits at 91 mph.

His 2025 WAR sits at 0.5 through early June, per Baseball-Reference. That’s already more valuable than all of San Diego’s current left fielders combined, who have posted a collective -1.3 WAR this season. That kind of production swing could be enough to turn a wildcard team into a contender, justifying the aggressive trade exploration.

Stat Note: WAR (Wins Above Replacement)

• WAR estimates how many more wins a player contributes than a replacement-level player (think: Triple-A call-up). It combines batting, baserunning, fielding, and positional value.
• Calculated slightly differently by Baseball-Reference (bWAR) and FanGraphs (fWAR), but both reflect overall impact.

WAR Benchmarks at the 1/3 Season Mark (early June):

• • 0.0 WAR = Replacement-level | 0.5 WAR = Solid contributor/bench level | 1.0–1.5 WAR = Average to above-average starter

162-Game Season Benchmarks:

• 0–1 WAR = Backup | 2 WAR = Solid everyday starter | 3–4 WAR = Very good player | 5+ WAR = Star | 7+ WAR = MVP-level

With 0.5 WAR already, Stowers is on pace for 1.3–1.5 WAR. If he continues producing at this clip, he could finish near the 2 WAR mark—strong value for a pre-arb player.

Stat Note:

• xwOBA (expected weighted on-base average) estimates a player’s expected offensive production based on exit velocity, launch angle, strikeouts, and walks. It’s computed using Statcast’s batted ball data and modeled outcomes.
  • Below .290 = poor | .320–.340 = average | .370+ = excellent
• xSLG (expected slugging percentage) calculates total bases per at-bat based on the quality of contact (EV + LA). It removes park effects and defensive variables.
  • Below .350 = poor | .400–.450 = average | .500+ = excellent
• ISO (Isolated Power) is calculated by subtracting batting average from slugging percentage: SLG – AVG. It measures how often a player hits for extra bases.
  • Below .120 = light hitter | .140–.170 = average | .200+ = high power
• BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) is computed as (Hits – HR) ÷ (AB – K – HR + SF). It measures how often balls in play become hits, excluding home runs.
  • Below .280 = unlucky or poor contact | .290–.310 = average | .330+ = often indicates strong contact or possible luck

He has demonstrated that he’s not just benefiting from luck or a friendly home park. In fact, Stowers plays half his games in Miami’s loanDepot Park—a notoriously pitcher-friendly stadium that suppresses left-handed power. Despite that, his home OPS (.819) is actually better than his road OPS (.787), suggesting his success is skill-driven and sustainable.

“How does this year compare to previous seasons?”

Looking at his career arc, 2025 represents steady development rather than a fluke. In 2022, he hit .253/.306/.418 with a .724 OPS in limited at-bats for Baltimore. In 2023, he struggled mightily (.067 AVG), largely due to injury. After being traded to Miami in 2024, he hit .168 in 50 games.

This season, his .804 OPS and .194 ISO represent career highs. His walk-to-strikeout ratio has improved to 0.278, and his .358 BABIP is high but not unsustainable considering his hard contact rates. The data says this breakout isn’t smoke and mirrors.

“Is he cooling off?”

Yes—his production has dipped recently. After a strong April (.321 AVG, .915 OPS) and solid May (.250 AVG, .811 OPS), Stowers has struggled in June, hitting just .160 with no walks and 11 strikeouts in 25 at-bats. That’s a strikeout rate over 44%.

However, it’s important to remember that young players often go through growing pains in their first full season. Stowers may be adjusting to how pitchers are attacking him now that there’s a scouting book. The encouraging part is that even during cooler stretches, he’s still shown power and situational effectiveness.

“How does he perform in clutch situations?”

In high-leverage spots, Stowers has excelled. He’s hitting .333 with a 1.111 OPS in late-and-close situations and .381 in the ninth inning. With two outs, he carries a .276 average and .592 slugging. With runners on base, particularly on first or second, he’s hitting as high as .395 and .571, respectively, delivering RBIs and key hits.

While his overall numbers with runners in scoring position aren’t elite (.224 AVG), his slugging remains solid at .483, and he has 24 RBIs in those situations.

“Can he hit both righties and lefties?”

Yes, and that makes him even more valuable. Against right-handed pitching, he’s slashing .247/.323/.470 with all 10 of his home runs. Surprisingly, he’s been even better against lefties in a smaller sample: .353 AVG and an .844 OPS. That kind of versatility is rare for a young left-handed hitter.

“What about his defense and baserunning?”

Defensively, Stowers is slightly below average. He has a –2 Outs Above Average (OAA), meaning he makes two fewer plays than the average outfielder.

Stat Note:

• OAA (Outs Above Average) is a Statcast fielding metric that quantifies how many outs a defender saves or costs relative to average based on distance, time, and play difficulty. It factors in range, positioning, and direction.
  • 0 = average | +5 or more = strong defender | –5 or worse = below average

Using Baseball Savant’s 2025 leaderboard, we can compare his defense to Padres teammates:

• Oscar Gonzalez (LF): +1 OAA
• Jason Heyward (LF): 0 OAA
• Gavin Sheets (1B): –1 OAA
• Tyler Wade (CF): –2 OAA

None of San Diego’s current left fielders have provided elite defensive value, and Stowers is roughly in line with what they’ve produced so far.

His arm strength ranks in the 83rd percentile, making him a solid option in left field, especially when paired with Petco Park’s layout.

On the bases, he’s roughly average. He ranks in the 41st percentile in Sprint Speed, and his base running value is neutral—he won’t hurt the team, but he’s not a stolen base threat either.

“How does he compare to the Padres’ current left fielders?”

The Padres have used a mix of Brandon Lockridge, Tyler Wade, Jason Heyward, Oscar Gonzalez, Tirso Ornelas, and Gavin Sheets in left field this season. Collectively, while playing LF, they’ve hit just .209/.287/.312—among the worst positional production in MLB. None of them offer Stowers’ combination of power and control.

Defensively, the Padres’ outfield has posted a positive OAA overall thanks to elite performances from Fernando Tatis Jr. (+7 OAA in RF) and Jackson Merrill (+2 OAA in CF). However, none of their left fielders rank above +1 in OAA. Stowers would not represent a much of defensive downgrade and would definitely be a major offensive upgrade.

“What makes his contract appealing?”

Stowers is a pre-arbitration player earning $768,200 in 2025, with team control through at least 2029. That means he offers multiple years of affordable production, an important factor for a team managing a tight payroll like the Padres.

“Has health ever been an issue for Kyle Stowers?”

For the most part, Kyle Stowers has remained healthy throughout his professional career, but there was a notable setback during the 2023 season.

After debuting in 2022 with Baltimore and flashing raw power in limited at-bats (.253 AVG, .724 OPS), Stowers opened 2023 with high expectations. However, he suffered a right shoulder injury in May, later described as inflammation and minor structural irritation. This limited him to just 14 games at the MLB level that year, where he struggled (.067 AVG, 3-for-45) before being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

While no surgery was required, the injury derailed his rhythm and performance. Stowers spent most of the second half of 2023 rehabbing and retooling in the minors. In late August, a pitch to the face fractured his nose and almost cut his season short. He was able to return to his Tides team for their run to the Triple A championship. By the end of the season, reports suggested his shoulder had fully recovered, and his swing speed and power metrics returned to normal.

In 2024, before being traded to Miami, he was batting .306 in 19 games and showed signs of regaining form. Now in 2025, he’s played in 60+ games without any known physical limitations, and his 98th percentile barrel rate suggests full health and bat speed recovery.

He is currently dealing with a hand injury. While he has played in recent games, reports suggest he is still dealing with lingering hand soreness. He has been out of the lineup for a few games due to the issue, but has been available off the bench. He is currently listed as day-to-day.

Bottom line: While 2023 raised minor red flags, Stowers has responded well and has now logged over 110 healthy MLB games since the injury—an encouraging sign for teams considering him as a full-time outfield option.

“Why might Kyle Stowers not be a perfect fit?”

While Kyle Stowers offers clear upside, there are a few reasons why his fit in the Padres’ current lineup might be less than ideal—especially when considering roster composition and lineup balance.

First, the Padres already feature two prominent left-handed hitters in the heart of the order: Jackson Merrill, who typically hits cleanup, and Gavin Sheets, who often bats fifth. Adding Stowers—another lefty slugger—immediately after or near them could lead to stacked left-handed bats, which opposing managers can exploit with late-inning lefty relievers. Additionally, Luis Arráez, who bats second, is also left-handed, meaning four lefties could potentially occupy key spots in the top 6 or 7 of the lineup.

Secondly, while Stowers has posted reverse splits in 2025 (.353 AVG vs. LHP), it’s based on a smaller sample size (56 PA) and may not hold over time. His 30% strikeout rate and a sharp decline in June (.160 AVG, 11 strikeouts in 25 AB) raise legitimate concerns about how well he’d handle more advanced sequencing—especially when pitchers can game-plan for platoon matchups in high-leverage situations.

Lastly, inserting Stowers into the 5th or 6th spot behind Bogaerts and ahead of Cronenworth may create redundancy in offensive approach—Cronenworth is a patient contact hitter, and if Stowers isn’t making consistent contact, it could lead to stranded baserunners.

“Should the Padres make a move?”

Kyle Stowers checks every box for a midseason trade target: breakout offensive production, strong underlying metrics, positional need, local ties, and team-friendly contract control. While his June slump is real, the totality of his performance suggests a long-term asset rather than a temporary hot hand.

If the Padres want to increased production at the plate from their left fielders without mortgaging too much of the future, Kyle Stowers may be the best value play on the market.

Data sources: Baseball Savant, Baseball Reference, and Spotrac.

J.J. Rodriguez

J.J. Rodriguez is a passionate sports writer making his debut with East Village Times. Born and raised in Southwest Florida, he is a father of four and an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has lived in Southern California since 1996. A devoted fan of the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Gators, J.J. brings a lifetime of sports enthusiasm to his writing. He’s currently pursuing a degree in elementary education and enjoys life as an empty-nester with his wife of 19 years, Lisa.