San Diego Padres: Hosmer Fills Crucial Needs for Friars

The San Diego Padres are investing a ton of resources and time into the hope that Eric Hosmer will add the talent and intangibles to take this team to the next level.

The San Diego Padres signed Eric Hosmer to their largest contract in franchise history this week. Many questioned GM A.J. Preller’s tactics in signing such a long-term deal (8 years, $144 million). Contrary to popular belief, this signing has potential to be one of the greatest in San Diego sports history.

Here are a few of the ways that signing Eric Hosmer will benefit the San Diego Padres over the next few years. Hopefully, Hosmer’s effects on this franchise will last even longer.

On-Base Percentage

I find it quite ironic that this website is titled Friars on Base, yet the Friars are awful at getting on base. The San Diego Padres ranked dead last in Major League Baseball’s team on-base percentage in 2017.

Of qualifying players, Jose Pirela led the Padres with a .347 on-base percentage a year ago. Eric Hosmer had an on-base percentage of .385 last season. The 2017 Padres also ranked dead last in MLB in batting average, with a team average of .234. Hosmer hit an impressive .318 last year.

Strikeouts

Striking out has become more acceptable this day and age, but considering how rarely the Padres get on base, cutting down on strikeouts is crucial. The San Diego Padres had the third-highest strikeout total in major-leagues last year, with a whopping 1499 strikeouts.

Wil Myers contributed for 180 of those, which was the second-highest strikeout total among all Major League first baseman.

Being former minor-league teammates in Kansas City, Hosmer will likely share his newly acquired knowledge with Myers. Hosmer rarely strikes out and did so only 104 times last season. This was the seventh lowest strikeout total among qualifying Major League first baseman (ESPN).

San Diego Padres brought Hosmer in for his leadership qualities

Eric Hosmer’s intangibles are easily his most likable traits. His initial press conference with the Padres was quite impressive. Hosmer talked about guiding young players, letting them know how good they are, and bringing a championship to San Diego.

Hosmer even brought up doing the research on Padres prospects, “I’m at the point in time in my career where I haven’t played against any of these guys in the Minor Leagues, so for me to start going and doing the research and looking up these guys, it brought a lot of excitement to me” (MLB.com).

Next: Clayton Richard Needs To Be A Leader

The San Diego Padres’ new first baseman knows the feeling of a winning culture and is ready to lead the Friars to victory.