3 Padres players the fans are growing impatient with

2) Padres fans are growing impatient with Austin Nola

While he's never been great with the bat, Austin Nola was good enough last season for a catcher. He was a guy who had an uncanny ability to simply put the ball in play, and never seemed to get himself out. He ranked in the 93rd percentile in chase rate and whiff %. Nola is still solid in those areas offensively, but he isn't hitting the ball hard whatsoever. This has caused his offensive production to plummet.

Nola has gone from the 57th percentile in average exit velocity to the fourth percentile this season according to Baseball Savant. He's gone from the 47th percentile in hard-hit rate last season to the fourth percentile this season.

With this in mind, Nola is slashing .152/.256/.215 with one home run and seven RBI. His OPS+ stands at a horrific 36. His .471 OPS is a mark you might've seen from some pitchers back in the day when they used to hit.

Last season, Nola's 91 OPS+ was passable, especially for a catcher. This season he's been a nightmare at the plate. San Diego doesn't have any great options, especially with Luis Campusano out, but if Nola doesn't pick it up in a big way they're going to have to search for an external upgrade. You can be a Gold Glover but if you have a 36 OPS+ it'll be very hard to be a positive player.