While it is not yet the All-Star break, the official halfway point of the MLB season has come and gone. Heading into Monday’s action, the San Diego Padres sit at 41-41, and third in the National League Wild Card standings. They are 8 1\/2 games out of the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and are outpacing the Arizona Diamondbacks by just one game. The Wild Card race is highly contested, with a whopping seven out of nine teams within three games of the final spot. This Padres season has been full of ups and downs, and at the midseason mark, let’s assign some grades.<\/p>\n
This outfield group has been without a doubt the best part of this Padres team. In fact, it’s been so good that the top three NL outfielders by WAR are the Padres outfielders. That list is led by Fernando Tatis Jr.<\/a>, who after a slow start, looks to be regaining his 2021 form. In his second year in right field, his defense continues to shine as he grows more comfortable with the position. However, Tatis Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL on June 22 with a right femoral stress reaction. Bryce Johnson<\/a>, who has been hitting .301 in Triple-A El Paso, takes his place on the roster.\u00a0 So, when and how he returns could shape the rest of the Padres season.<\/p>\n NL Leaders (OF) \u2013 fWAR: \u2014 Jeff Praught (@jpro22) June 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
\n1. Jurickson Profar (SD) 2.7
\n2. Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD) 2.5
\n3. Jackson Merrill (SD) 2.1#Padres<\/a><\/p>\n