The San Diego Padres just swept the Braves. They have some life now. But look at the lineup and it’s still a problem. They rank dead last in OPS, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and runs scored. That’s not a blip. That’s a trend.
So you’d think the front office would go get a bat. Maybe someone who hits. Instead, they signed Luis Rengifo to a minor-league deal, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. The Brewers released him on June 23. The Padres picked him up a few days later.
The Numbers Are What They Are
Rengifo put up a .205 average with a .280 on-base and a .254 slugging in 209 plate appearances for Milwaukee this year. That .534 OPS is rough. But here’s the thing: it actually fits right in with what San Diego has been doing at the plate. That’s not a compliment.
To be fair, he hit .300 in 78 games for the Angels in 2024. His career OPS of .677 is technically better than what the Padres have managed as a team this season. So there’s a sliver of hope. Not much. But a sliver.
AJ Preller is aggressive. Everyone knows that. He’s probably cooking something up for the August 3 trade deadline. Until then, he’s working with what’s available. And right now, available means a veteran utility guy who got cut by a first-place team.
Is There a Path to the Big League Roster?
Jake Cronenworth is still working through concussion protocols. That might open a door for Rengifo to get called up. He’d need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster first. But if San Diego keeps struggling to score runs, they might as well see if a guy who hit .300 last year can find that form again.
It’s not a splashy move. It’s not the kind of signing that gets fans excited. But the Padres are in a weird spot where even a modest upgrade at the plate would matter. Maybe Rengifo is that guy. Maybe he’s not. Either way, they’ll find out soon enough.
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