The 2026 Padres’ uptick in stolen bases
AP Photo
When Major League Baseball increased the size of the bases from 15 square inches to 18 square inches, added a pitch clock, and added disengagement limits in 2023, it was partially meant to speed up the game. As well as encourage more stolen bases. Stolen bases had become a bit obsolete, with slugging percentage and launch angle taking over the offensive strategies of the game.
These rule changes that were made in 2023 had the intent for there to be much more action on the basepaths, and therefore more stolen bases.
However, stolen bases haven’t really been part of the success for the Padres. In 2023, under Bob Melvin, the team ranked 9th in stolen bases with 137. As we all know, that season was a disaster as they finished 82-80 and missed the postseason.
When Mike Shildt was named as the Padres’ manager in 2024, there was a bit of a different brand of baseball being played. In 2024 and 2025, San Diego ranked 14th and 18th in stolen bases, respectively. During 2024, the Padres swiped 120 bags, and in 2025, they stole 106.
Here we are in 2026, under the new Padres coaching staff led by Craig Stammen. 99 games into the season with the new regime, the Padres are tied at second in baseball with 104 stolen bases. They rank just behind the Nationals (111) and are tied with the Marlins (104) up to this point.
Why are the numbers up in 2026
A big part of the Padres’ jump in stolen bases in 2026 has been due to the overall health of the stars. In 2024, Fernando Tatis Jr. missed two months because of a stress fracture in the right femur. When Tatis Jr. returned from injury, he was obviously still nursing his leg a bit and not quite at 100% strength. Only 11 stolen bases were recorded in 2024 for Tatis Jr. In 2025, Jackson Merrill sustained a multitude of injuries. The Padres placed their newly-extended center fielder on the injury list a total of three times during the course of the year. Merrill suffered a strained hamstring, concussion, and sprained ankle and was never able to catch stride during the 2025 season. Merrill stole just one base in 115 games in 2025.
The duo of a healthy Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill have done wonders on the base paths and in the outfield and infield. In 2026, Tatis Jr and Merrill led the team in stolen bases with 25 and 20. Tatis Jr.’s 25 stolen bases rank as the second-best in the National League, sitting behind Nasim Nuñez (37) and being tied with Pete Crow-Armstrong (25). Merrill’s 20 stolen bags is good for the fifth-best in the NL, being tied with rising star Konnor Griffin and former Padre Esteury Ruiz.
Xander Bogaerts, in a Padres uniform, has been a threat to steal a base whenever he reaches. Bogaerts is successful on 12 out of his 13 stolen base attempts so far in 2026. This part of Bogaerts’ games has been a nice addition to the team ever since he landed in 2023. Bogaerts has previously stolen 19 bases in 2023, 13 in 2024, and 20 in 2025.
The Padres have also received stolen bases contributions from some of the new faces, even with their lack of playing time. Sung-Mun Song, in 44 games, has stolen 11 bases, good for the fourth-best on the team. Samad Taylor has swiped 6 bases, and Jase Bowen has stolen four, although both of them have appeared in 30 games or fewer games each.
The shortage of offensive production also puts the 2026 Padres in scenarios in which stealing bases seems like a must. The team ranks 29th in OPS and 30th in hits, which do not work out well for a team that owns the sixth-highest payroll in MLB. Getting very few results from the core of previously mentioned Tatis Jr and Merrill, along with Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, puts the unit in situations where runs need to become manufactured. If there isn’t going to be slug or gap-to-gap power from these guys, runners on first must be getting to second to where they could score on a base hit to the outfield.
As it stands right now, with the Padres at 49-50, expect the offense to still be looking to advance runners an extra 90 feet at any chance they get. Until the offense gets into a groove at the dish, manufacturing runs with singles, walks, and stolen bases is their best bet to keep the season’s hopes alive.
Angel grew up a San Diego sports fan, following the Padres, SDSU athletics, San Diego FC, as well as the Chargers. He is currently a third year community college student, and will transfer to SDSU to pursue a career in Journalism.