Top 3 Padres performers of the first 10 games

The Padres finished their third series of the year over the weekend and are 6-4 through their first ten games.

Let’s take a look at the top three performers of the first ten games of the season.

Trent Grisham 

Many Padres fans bemoaned the moving of Luis Urias along with Eric Lauer to Milwaukee in exchange for Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham during the offseason.

Thus far, those doubts have been put to rest. Through 10 games, Grisham has not only been productive with the bat, but he has played excellent defense in center field as well. At the plate, Grisham consistently got on base and posted a .364 on-base percentage. Once on the bases, Grisham continued to be productive, with two stolen bases and ten runs scored, which is tied for the major league lead. Plus, his diving play in San Francisco likely saved the win for San Diego.

TWO. OUT. THUNDER.

Trent Grisham with a three-run BLAST!#FriarFaithful | @Padres pic.twitter.com/MuDw6kUvSF

— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) July 30, 2020

The 23-year-old leads the team with three home runs, two of them coming during San Diego’s road trip through San Francisco and Colorado, with a 1.000 OPS during the six road games. Among hitters with at least 20 plate appearances, Grisham leads the club with a 164 wRC+ and a .969 OPS. His productivity at the plate, on the bases and in the outfield has made this a home run move for general manager A.J. Preller early on.

Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Tatis not only deserves to be on the list among the Padres’ top performers of the first ten games, but he should be on national lists for MLB awards. MLB.com’s Richard Justice named Tatis to his way-too-early MVP list and rightfully so. The 21-year-old has done a little bit of everything, from solid defensive play to impossible displays of power to, once again, wreaking havoc on the base paths. He boasts a .275 average, two home runs, nine RBIs, three stolen bases, a .933 OPS, and 160 OPS+.

This is an absolutely impossible home run what the hell https://t.co/R9RLuX0H7V

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 29, 2020

Early returns on his defense have also been encouraging, as he is yet to make an error at shortstop this year after making 18 last season. The Dominican star set the online baseball world ablaze with his game-tying solo smash in Friday’s dramatic victory over the Rockies with two outs in the ninth inning. His other home run was clutch as well, giving San Diego a 3-1 lead in San Francisco. His 0.6 fWAR is the third-highest in the National League. All in all, it looks like Tatis is picking up right where he left off last season, and Padres fans should be jubilant.

Drew Pomeranz

In the bullpen, it has been a complete mess so far this season with San Diego ranking 26th in bullpen ERA. However, one of the only bright spots has been free agent signing Drew Pomeranz. Many criticized A.J. Preller for giving a journeyman reliever a four-year, $34 million contract, but he is making off like a genius so far. Even All-MLB closer Kirby Yates has stumbled out of the gate, but Pomeranz has been a steady presence, cleaning up multiple messes. He is yet to allow a run in five appearances thus far.

Drew Pomeranz, Filthy 85mph Knuckle Curve…and, on appeal, Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/9x716kanau

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 29, 2020

If you had Pomeranz tabbed for two saves before a healthy Kirby Yates notched one this season, I will see you in Vegas. To give Yates an extra day off, manager Jayce Tingler opted for Pomeranz to close out a 5-3 win against the Giants on July 28, and he did so effortlessly, with three straight strikeouts.

Then in Colorado, Yates entered the ninth with an 8-5 lead, looking for his first save of the year. However, he struggled with command and allowed two earned runs before Pomeranz came in to seal the win and earn the save. Each of the Ole Miss alum’s appearances have been high-stress, and he has passed with flying colors each and every time.

Nick Lee

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.