Padres: 3 replacement options for an underperforming Tommy Pham

Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers certainly lived up to the hype. A ton of lead changes, a pitcher’s duel to start and temperatures rising between the San Diego Padres and their biggest rival.

Unfortunately, San Diego came out on the wrong end of things, dropping the contest by an 11-6 final in 12 after Los Angeles hung a five spot to seal things late. For the Friars, the big storyline was the return of Fernando Tatis Jr., who belted a big home run in his first game back from a shoulder injury – and a sterling start from lefty Ryan Weathers.

The loss dropped the Padres to 9-6 on the year, 3 1/2 games back of the Dodgers in the NL West. This team hasn’t found its groove yet – that much is clear. Without Tatis Jr., the offense has been erratic and we hope his return will help the group get things moving in the right direction.

But it can’t be all about Tatis Jr. There’s one guy who’s struggled immensely this season – and needs to get it going if he wants to get regular action in left field: veteran outfielder Tommy Pham.

Just 2 for his last 20 (.100), Pham is dead weight at the dish. On the year, he’s batting just .140 (6-for-43) – and given the importance of this weekend’s series against the Dodgers, Jayce Tingler needs to do what he did on Friday and keep Pham out of the starting lineup.

Padres have one of the game’s most versatile players in Jurickson Profar

Bringing Jurickson Profar back late this offseason was one of the most prudent moves made by San Diego’s front office. He’s coming off a season in which he hit a career-best .278/.343/.428 in the shortened campaign – but perhaps more importantly, he can spell pretty much anyone at any time as needed.

Already this season, he’s seen time at both corner outfield spots, first and second base. This is a definite area of strength for the Padres – in Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, Jorge Mateo and Jake Cronenworth, they have four guys capable of playing both the infield and outfield. Such depth is critical – as we’ve learned over the last two weeks with Tatis Jr. sidelined.

In Friday’s series opener, Tingler went with Profar in left over Pham – and the 28-year-old utility man rewarded his skipper’s faith with a clutch, game-tying double late. On the year, Profar is batting .292/.390/.375 – good for a 120 OPS+.

A switch-hitter capable of playing all over the diamond who’s swinging a hot bat? This guy has to be the top choice to start in left right now over Pham – if for nothing else, the obvious offensive upgrade this would be.

Padres: Jake Cronenworth can move around the diamond, as well

Last year’s NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Jake Cronenworth is out to prove that his showing last year was no fluke. Some questioned what he’d bring to the table this season given the pretty dramatic splits between the first and second half last year, but he’s answered that by coming out of the gate as one of the best hitters in all of baseball.

Through a league-leading 69 plate appearances, Cronenworth is hitting .339/.412/.458 with seven walks to just five strikeouts. He’s one of the best bat-to-ball guys in the league and whether it’s at second base or in the outfield, he’s one of the most important players on this roster.

Like I said, you can slot in Mateo or Profar in left with no problem. Or, if you’re looking to change things up, move Cronenworth to the outfield and go with one of those two at second. Tingler could also look to Kim, although the KBO import is off to a slow start in his first Major League season.

San Diego is one of the deepest teams in the league. With that in mind, you can’t keep trotting out Tommy Pham right now. Give him a spell, let him work his way back into the swing of things and move forward from there.