Skip to main content
Friars On Base
Fansided

Padres finally reward Samad Taylor's breakout with a lineup change that needs to last

Let him ride out this opportunity.
ByPJ Potter|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Jun 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Samad Taylor (0) is greeted in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jun 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Samad Taylor (0) is greeted in the dugout after scoring against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Samad Taylor's professional baseball experience has seen way too many ups and downs, especially for the faint-hearted. Since 2023, he's been optioned seven times, designated for assignment, traded, and nearly forgotten about.

But somehow, Taylor looks like he is coming out on the winning side of the turmoil. With the San Diego Padres struggling to find production from its hitters, Taylor was given his chance to play in the big leagues this season. Naturally, a 27-year-old journeyman is going to be slotted in the bottom of the batting order.

But San Diego is letting its guard down and allowing Taylor to hit higher up in the lineup. On June 23, Taylor batted second, sandwiched between young stars in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. Taylor went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the extra-innings win against the Braves, and is now slashing 8-for-his-last-19 (.421) with a clear comfort batting high in the order.

It begs the question: Does Samad Taylor remain atop the Padres batting order?

Samad Taylor's recent surge suggests he could be an MLB regular in the Padres' lineup

Perhaps, Taylor never really got his fair shot in the big leagues. He played in 31 games with the Royals in 2023, then his opportunities plummeted since — logging seven total games with the Mariners in the last two seasons.

Now, Taylor seems to be comfortable facing MLB pitching. In 15 contests this year, he has four multi-hit efforts and has a base hit in 13 of them. It also doesn't hurt that he's in the 95th percentile in sprint speed, either.

The Padres always seem to strike gold with resurging players. Just look at Gavin Sheets last year and Jurickson Profar in 2024. Maybe, Taylor is this season's version of those contributors. He's been tested long before ever showing at Petco Park, but his immediate production should have fans believing in the quick hitting surge from a guy who was an afterthought by two American League teams in the last few seasons.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/Padres News