Padres' first base picture is clouded by two very good problems

The Padres closed out their series with St. Louis on Sunday afternoon with a 7-3 win. It's true that Mike Shildt must play with the lineup to see what works and gave Sunday's matchup a subtle wrinkle, keeping Luis Arráez at the No. 2 spot and the newly acquired Ryan O'Hearn at No. 6, but having Arráez DH while O'Hearn got the start at first.

Arráez, in maintaining his "La Regadera" moniker, wasted no time in extending his hitting streak to 16 games with a single in the bottom of the first. O'Hearn went 1-for-4 in the game but his first reach was a fortuitous one. Cardinals' second baseman Thomas Saggese blew a routine double play by under-throwing shortstop Masyn Winn at second. Later, O'Hearn singled in the bottom of the 6th down the 3rd base line.

While yesterday's game yielded a miniscule sample size for O'Hearn in a Padres uniform, side by side comparisons tell a broader story. So far this season, Arráez boasts a higher batting average (.298) while O'Hearn (.279) wields more power with seven more homers than Arráez with less at bats. Still, Arráez also holds hardware having earned a Silver Slugger award in each league.

Padres' competition at first base could force team to choose who is the future at that position

A key number to note, especially when it comes to the postseason, is strikeouts. 2025 shows a harrowing 65 strikouts for O'Hearn while the consistent and disciplined Arráez has only whiffed 12 times this season. Despite Arráez's consistency this year, he is still under his career .313 batting average, with all signs pointing to him eclipsing .300 by the end of the year.

For the Friars, a healthy competition at first base is a good problem to have. Yet it may be the newcomer's recent statement that not only raised the white flag but made Shildt's future lineup decisions easier, stating,“It’s exciting,” O’Hearn said. “Ultimately, that's what every player plays for, is the chance to win a ring.” 

Friars fans can easily predict who will be starting at first base on September 22nd. The evening is Arráez's own bobblehead night. The sleek bobblehead showcases a swinging Arráez hitting a baseball atop a geyser springing from a lawn sprinkler. The prized piece of plastic even dons his nickname, "La Regadera."