Padres organization players of the week: May 24-30
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Padres turned in yet another winning week thanks to several players.
The Padres went 4-3 this week with a series split in Milwaukee and a series win against the Astros in Houston.
Here is a look at the top performers of the week up and down the organization.
Jack Suwinski (San Antonio)
Suwinksi may not be a name most Padres fans recognize right off the bat, as he is not a top-30 prospect in the organization. Nevertheless, the 15th round pick in the 2016 draft came through with a big week. He turned in a .450 average (9-for-20) with six extra-base hits, including two home runs. He added six RBI along with a 1.542 OPS. On Saturday, he went 3-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and two RBI.
Felix Minjarez (Lake Elsinore)
Minjarez has struggled for the majority of the young season in Fort Wayne, with a 10.13 ERA in just over ten innings of work. However, it looks like the 24-year-old may be turning things around after a solid week. In two relief appearances this week, he turned in 6 2/3 innings without allowing a run. He also allowed just one hit, and no walks with six strikeouts.
The much-maligned Pham struggled for much of his career with the Padres since arriving ahead of the 2020 season. It seems like things may finally be turning around for the veteran outfielder. He is in the middle of a five-game hitting streak and has reached base in 10 consecutive games. Overall, he batted .323 this week, including two home runs and a double. With a .948 OPS on the week, it looks like Pham is figuring things out, which bodes well for the Padres, who need another presence at the top of their lineup in the absence of Trent Grisham.
Tatis had to be included after the incredible weekend he had in Houston. He smacked two home runs in the series against the Astros, both of which played a huge role in the outcome of the game. His first was a solo shot that tied the game in the eighth inning on Friday. The Padres eventually won in the 11th inning. On Saturday, the Padres were able to get two runners on ahead of Tatis in the top of the ninth, down 6-3. He then launched a majestic shot onto the train tracks in left field to tie the game. The second time in two days, he tied the game with a homer. After it all seemed lost with the Padres down 6-1, Tatis brought the team all the way back. They eventually won in 12 innings.
Tatis finished the week with two homers and 10 RBI, along with a .905 OPS.
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Sunday was a tough one to swallow for the Padres in Houston. Instead of getting the sweep, they were forced to play catch-up early and never got the job done. Blake Snell struggled mightily, and it looked like the worn-down bullpen was going to have to shoulder yet another heavy load with no days off in sight.
Musgrove, who turned in a solid, yet short start in Milwaukee, striking out six without a run allowed in 4 2/3 innings, came in to relieve Snell. He was originally scheduled to start the series opener on Monday against the Cubs, but Jayce Tingler opted to give the bullpen a day off and sacrifice Musgrove’s scheduled start. Musgrove delivered perfectly. He allowed just one baserunner in five innings without allowing a hit or a walk while striking out three. He gave the pitching staff a much-needed boost and the bullpen a well-earned day off, despite the loss.
Musgrove continues to be the second-best starting pitcher on the staff behind Yu Darvish.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.