4 San Diego Padres players that need to step up for them to have a chance in 2023

Luis Campusano

Gary Sanchez has taken over the catching duties for the Padres since being signed in late May, but the struggles of Austin Nola and Luis Campusano being healthy has given the youngster an opportunity. The 24-year-old is going to get his chance over the final seven weeks and the second-round pick in the 2017 Draft has a chance to prove himself for the future.

It's a small sample size, yes, but he has shown in his short amount of time what this season could look like. He began a five-run third-inning uprising against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday with a two-run home run and finished 4-for-4 in the 13-7 loss. Sanchez will get a lot of the playing time, but when Campusano's name is called, the Georgia native needs to continue his development and timely production.

Xander Bogaerts

By Xander Bogaerts standards, he has not had the year the Padres were hoping they were getting from his time with the Boston Red Sox. His season numbers are down from what he did in Boston as he's slashing .267/.343/.394 while his home run and doubles are down also.

His defense has been good, but it's his bat that the Padres are going to need. He's been moved down in the lineup by Melvin to fifth and is slashing .333/.323/.367 the last week. He was a good late-season player in Boston and the Friars are going to need that version to show up in the final seven weeks, especially with the big contract he signed over the winter.