What are the most recent cycles in San Diego Padres history?

Baseball has its “holy grail” of excellence in terms of on-field accomplishments. From pitching a no-hitter, tossing a perfect game, or hitting three home runs, each captures headlines when a player achieves such an honor. It's no different when it comes to hitting for the cycle.

What does it mean when a baseball player hits for the cycle?

The definition is pretty simple, as hitting for the cycle is when a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. If the player collects the hits in that order, it is called a “natural” cycle.

Hitting for the cycle is a rare feat in baseball. Only 344 batters have done it. Buffalo Bisons Curry Foley was the first batter to do so in 1882, and Houston Astros star Jose Altuve was the latest to join the list. He hit for the cycle against the Boston Red Sox last August. A natural cycle has occurred 14 times, with Gary Matthews Jr. being the last batter to achieve the honor with the Texas Rangers in 2006.

What are the most recent cycles in San Diego Padres history?

But what about Padres franchise history?

Back in August of 2015, Matt Kemp walked into third base and looked at his base coach Glenn Hoffman, who told him he was the first Padre to hit for the cycle. It only took the franchise 7,444 games to achieve the honor.

We reminisce about this feat as the Friars recently concluded a road series against the Colorado Rockies. Coors Field is where the organization's first two cycles took place.

Kemp’s historical night began with a first-inning home run to straightaway center field. In his next at-bat, Kemp singled up the middle in the third inning. He smashed an RBI double to center field in the seventh. He then completed the feat with a standup triple in the ninth inning. It was surprising to see, as the veteran outfielder battled hamstring issues with the Los Angeles Dodgers the previous season.

Deja Vu Again: Former Padre Wil Myers hits for Cycle at Coors Field

Early in the 2017 season, Padres slugger Wil Myers was on a torrid streak (.382 BA) at the plate. He continued his hot hitting by completing the second cycle in team history on a chilly April night at Coors Field.

Myers began his unforgettable evening with an innocent single in the first inning. He contributed with an RBI double in the third. Myers added another run with a solo home run in the sixth. Needing the most difficult hit to complete the cycle, like Kemp years prior, Myers made it look easy by cracking a leadoff triple in the eighth.

Padres' Jake Cronenworth notches a cycle back in 2021

The Friars wanted to start the second half of the 2021 season on a hot streak. And it does not get any better than scoring a franchise-high 24 runs, highlighted by Jake Cronenworth’s cycle.

If not for Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner’s leaping catch in the first inning, Cronenworth would have had a five-hit night. Still, he had a memorable game on a steamy July evening. Cronenworth followed that at-bat with a double in the second inning, a triple in the third, and a home run in the fifth. And Cro saved the hardest hit for last as he legged out an infield hit to complete the cycle.

Hitting for the cycle capped off a terrific week for Cronenworth. He made his first All-Star appearance at Coors Field earlier in the week.

Which Padres player will be next to hit for the cycle?

You may ask who on the current roster has a good chance to hit for the cycle in the near future. It has to be a player with good speed and a consistent contact hitter with power. These combined skills would put a hitter in a position to produce in each at-bat. 

Names that come to mind are Fernando Tatis Jr., Ha-Seong Kim and Jackson Merrill. Each brings an approach to the plate that challenges an opposing pitching staff to throw strikes.

Still, hitting for the cycle is one of the rarest feats you will ever see when attending a baseball game. The occurrence is special to witness, so never take it for granted.