Padres’ baserunning will improve in 2020

In 2020, the San Diego Padres’ baserunning should significantly improve.

Jayce Tingler has many tricks up his sleeve.

The young manager is fluent in Spanish, which allows him to get close to players and build tight relationships with men from all walks of life. He also brings a strong baseball development skill that will surely help the San Diego Padres in the future.

If you are looking for immediate results from the young manager- then expect the Padres’ baserunning to improve in 2020 drastically.

The Padres planned to be more aggressive in steals and taking extra bases in 2019, but they failed miserably. Except for Fernando Tatis Jr., the roster was slow and unmotivated while circling the pillows. Jayce Tingler turned the 2019 Texas Rangers into an outstanding baserunning team. There was little speed in the unit, but the artform of running the bases goes way beyond speed.

The Rangers stole 131 bases last year, which led all of Major League Baseball. Tingler was in charge of that facet of the game for Texas, and the team excelled. The Padres, in contrast, stole 70 bases with the youngest roster in the game. To say the Padres will improve in the area is an understatement. A full season of Tatis should boost the total steals for the team in 2020, but Tingler will get the most out of all his players on the bases.

Wayne Kirby is expected to join the staff, and he also has vast coaching experience when it comes to baserunning. The Padres have made this a focus heading into the new decade. They want to be a more aggressive team that is capable of taking an extra base when the time is right.

There are several ways to recognize a productive player on the bases.

The Padres finished with the 7th highest team OOB (out on bases) total in 2019. In all, 55 runners were thrown out either trying to take an extra-base on a flyball, being doubled-off on a line drive, or out while advancing on a wild pitch in 2019. Thirteen more men were picked off on the bases, which was also the seventh-worse total in the league. Lastly, the Padres were 26th in bases taken in 2019. These are not productive stats. Making outs on the bases only results in killing offensive momentum. Jayce Tingler is aware of this and will improve the Padres in their mental approach around the bags.

In the coming season, the Padres should be more aggressive and generally more successful around the bases. Jayce Tingler and his staff will ensure that this young team plays the game the correct way and continuously puts pressure on their opponent. With improved baserunning, the Padres’ offense could finally become a productive unit.

James Clark

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.