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4 biggest questions for San Diego Padres this offseason

By Jake Mastroianni

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the third inning in Game Two of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the third inning in Game Two of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Luis  Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres throws over Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he tries to turn a double play during the the fifth inning of a baseball game at Petco Park September 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 26: Luis  Urias #9 of the San Diego Padres throws over Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he tries to turn a double play during the the fifth inning of a baseball game at Petco Park September 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Is Luis Urias the answer at second?

Luis Urias was a top 30 prospect in all of Major League Baseball entering the 2019 season and was viewed by many as the future second baseman of the San Diego Padres.

That tune has suddenly changed as Urias has hit just .221 in his first 263 Major League at-bats with 6 home runs.

In the minors, he hit a combined .308 over 2,051 at-bats with 36 home runs and an OPS of .830.

He was outstanding at Triple-A in 2019 hitting .315 with a career-high 19 home runs and an OPS of .998 in 73 games.

Urias showed signs of hope late in 2019 as he hit .300 in September with a couple of home runs and OBP of .371.

That certainly gives Padres fans hope going into 2020.

At this point, Urias has done everything that he can at the minor league level.

And while he’s still young at 22, it’s time to see what he’s made of over a full season in the big leagues.

The Padres have Ian Kinsler (if healthy) as a back-up option in case Urias really struggles again.

But it’s really hard to see him struggling any harder than he did to start 2019 when he hit .091 in his first 55 at-bats.

If Urias can play a solid second base and hit .260 with double-digit home runs and stolen bases, I think Padres fans would be happy. And I think he’s certainly more than capable of making that happen.

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