Padres top performers of the week: April 26-May 2
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Padres held serve against two feisty NL West opponents this past week.
With two days off this week, the Padres played just five games, all against NL West opponents who currently have a winning record. They finished the week 3-2, and several players stood out.
While the power numbers have subsided after a red-hot start to his 2021 campaign, Grisham turned in a solid week at the plate. In the five games, Grisham went 8-for-20 (.400) with three doubles. He collected multiple hits in all three games against the Giants over the weekend. After getting a late start to his season following a nagging hamstring issue, Grisham has hit the ground running. In 20 games, the center fielder is batting .321 with a solid .916 OPS and 159 OPS+.
He has also been a menace on the basepaths, stealing five bases.
Profar got off to a slow start this season, but it seems as if his bat is heating up. He is in the middle of a four-game hitting streak while collecting three hits and three RBI against the Giants over the weekend. He hit his first home run of 2021 in the 6-2 victory over the Giants on Saturday.
Overall in the week, Profar hit .333 with a .945 OPS and 160 wRC+. He punctuated the week with a fabulous diving catch in the outfield on Sunday.
Say it with me… Profar hits it so far #HungryForMore pic.twitter.com/4DJqeZXdHI
— Lunch Break Baseball (@LunchBreakBB) May 2, 2021
Meet the Harry Houdini of the San Diego Padres.
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Hill has been nothing short of clutch. It seems time after time, manager Jayce Tingler puts him in perilous situations, and Hill tight-ropes out of it every time. In Friday’s victory over the Giants, Hill entered into a game in about as high-pressured a situation as a reliever can face- bases loaded, one out with a two-run lead. At first, it looked like Darin Ruf got to Hill for a go-ahead grand slam. However, after review, it was called foul. Hill then regrouped to strike out Ruf and Mike Tauchman to end the inning with an emphatic yell into the dugout, preserving the lead.
Overall, in 15 games, Hill owns a stingy 1.42 ERA with a stellar 269 ERA+.
Every other day: Tim Hill
Entering with the bases loaded and striking out two: Tim Skill pic.twitter.com/jiT2LyDZ0w
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 1, 2021
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.
Hill and Grisham both proved their worth this week. We’ve been so inconsistent across our team it is good to see those who seem dialed in.
I’ve openly criticized Profar and Pham. They’ve picked up their game offensively which is a good sign. We need them to be productive if we are to win.
It seems our hitters are guessing on many of the pitches, thus missing on some good hitters’ pitches. Myers seems to be the biggest culprit. I hope we can be selective and get into the oppositions bullpens early. But, we need to do better with pitch selection.