San Diego Padres: Three best position battles to watch in Spring Training

Can Jurickson Profar produce all year long?

Second base was a revolving door last year with 100-year-old Ian Kinsler logging the most innings at the position. All kidding aside, Kinsler was a stop-gap in what was expected to become Luis Urias‘ future home, but he was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason along with Eric Lauer.

Shortly after the 2019 season, the Padres acquired Jurickson Profar from the Oakland Athletics, and the 27-year-old posted terrible numbers last year. In 139 games, Profar logged a .218/.301/.410 slash line with 20 home runs and 67 RBI. He has some pop in his bat, but it appears that it’s all-or-nothing for him.

Greg Garcia played 74 games at second base last year and demonstrated the ability to get on base, but left a lot to desire to put the ball in play. He recorded a .248/.364/.354 slash line, so he was primarily a singles hitter.

The Padres are going to take a long look at Gabriel Arias this spring, but the 19-year-old only reach High-A ball last season and posted a .302/.339/.470 line with 17 home runs and 75 RBI in 120 games. He’d have to blow the doors off in Spring Training for him to have any consideration at second, so it’s likely going to be Profar’s job to lose.

That said, it’s going to be interesting to see if any other candidates emerge, potentially from a trade?