Padres clubhouse culture proving key to Bryce Johnson’s breakout stretch

Bryce Johnson just keeps hitting. The 29-year-old outfielder has a 147 OPS+ in his 68 plate appearances since being called up to the team on June 17th. That's a small sample size, as Johnson has only started 14 games for the Padres. But whenever he's been called upon to contribute, he's done what the team needed him to do.

Take his most recent appearance on September 13 as an example: Johnson entered in the eighth inning and delivered a two-run homer in his lone at-bat.

His numbers since July 26th are staggering. He's appeared in 23 games and accumulated 33 plate appearances. In those last 33 PAs, Johnson is hitting .452 with a .485 OBP and a .613 slugging percentage. His OPS is 1.098 during that stretch. He's hit one home run, two doubles, and driven in six runs while scoring five times.

Why Padres’ clubhouse chemistry is unlocking Bryce Johnson’s big moments

As a pinch-hitter, Johnson is 2-for-5 with a home run, a walk, and two RBIs. He’s also 2-for-4 as a pinch-runner, adding three runs scored and a stolen base. And when he’s entered as a defensive replacement, the outfielder has been even more impressive, going 7-for-9 with two doubles, two walks, another stolen base, and two RBIs.

Combined, Johnson is 11-for-18 with a home run, two doubles, three walks, three runs scored, two steals, and four runs batted in games when he enters as either a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement. For those keeping track at home, he's reaching base two-thirds of the time he steps up to the plate when he isn't a starter. He's done all that while also not making a single error and not getting caught stealing.

At this point, it is starting to look like Johnson is a cheat code. Save him on the bench until you need a baserunner late in the game, and he's almost automatic.

What's been behind Johnson's success?

The Padres clubhouse has played a role, apparently.

Johnson spoke to Sammy Levitt of 97.3 the Fan, where he credited his coaches and teammates in the clubhouse and their support for his success.

"It's not just me getting ready; I mean, these guys show up every day, they get everybody ready," said Johnson of his coaches and teammates.

Whatever Johnson and his coaches have been doing to keep him ready for the big moments, it's working. Johnson has been a breakout star in his own way for the Padres, and they'll need him to keep it up in the postseason.

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