How Austin Hays and Dustin Harris could fix the Padres’ MLB-worst No. 2 spot

The No. 2 spot in the Padres lineup has turned into open-mic night. Twelve hitters have taken a turn. Entering September 16, the group had produced an MLB-worst .652 OPS. Needless to say, very few have needed an encore at that spot.

It’s possible that we can stop waiting for one player to seize the job. San Diego may have found the cleanest answer by splitting it between Dustin Harris and Austin Hays.

Harris can get the at-bats against right-handed starters. Use Hays when a lefty is on the mound. Keep Fernando Tatis Jr. leading off, leave Manny Machado in position to drive him home and let the opposing pitcher’s throwing hand fill the space between them. Sure, it’s a platoon at the two-spot. But it’s better than .652

Austin Hays and Dustin Harris fit the Padres’ actual need

Harris earned three consecutive starts hitting second in the lineup against right-handers, going 3-for-12 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. We don’t need to hang a banner for that line. But it still represented competent at-bats in a lineup spot that has swallowed nearly everyone the Padres has placed there. Colorado activated lefty Kyle Freeland on Tuesday, and Craig Stammen slid Hays into the No. 2 spot. Hays collected two hits and launched a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning.

San Diego’s pitching eventually lost control of the night and turned it into a 9-3 loss. Hays still did his job, though.

That matchup has supported Hays throughout his career. He owns a .816 OPS against left-handed pitching. Harris supplies the left-handed swing and has batted .274 with a .333 OBP against righties this season. Neither screams everyday No. 2 hitter. Put them together and the position looks a lot more functional.

The Padres have spent too much time moving the same problem from one hitter to another. Jake Cronenworth went 19-for-91 while starting second in 18 consecutive games against right-handers. His bat picked up when they sent him to the lower half of the order. 

They just need a second hitter to reach base, give solid at-bats and give Machado a chance to hit with traffic. Anything beyond it is gravy. There is some refreshing honesty in the plan, too. The perfect No. 2 hitter isn’t suddenly walking through that clubhouse door. Hays has spent years handling lefties, and Harris has earned a longer look with the spark he’s provided down the stretch. Play the matchup and let both guys do what they do best.

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