Jason Heyward should not be an every day player

The San Diego Padres are not getting enough offensive production from anyone playing in left field, especially Jason Heyward. Although the defense from both Heyward and right-handed outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been good, neither is carrying the offensive side adequately.

For the season Heyward sits .173/.226/.280 with 18 strikeouts to six walks. He has two home runs, two doubles and 12 RBI in 75 AB. Brandon Lockridge, as the right handed option the majority of the time, sits .234/.294/.319 with two RBI and four doubles in 47 AB. He has struck out nine times with four walks.

Most importantly, since the beginning of May, Heyward has six strikeouts, one walk, only three hits and six RBI for a .115/.138/.231 line in 26 AB. With the Padres facing more right-handed pitchers than lefties, Heyward plays more than Lockridge and has been making mostly weak contact or striking out for the last two weeks.

Given the issues with the bullpen recently, the Padres need production from the whole lineup and the most glaring problem is with the production from the left field position. If the corner outfielders don’t provide power they have to hit for average or get on base in some fashion. In April, with 37 AB, Heyward had an on base of .317 while still hitting in the bottom third of the batting order. His last two weeks of production have diminished from that. Lockridge, though hurt for a part of April, had 28 AB with a .233 on base.

For contrast, the catching position of Martin Maldonado and Elias Díaz (combined) are hitting .225/.280/.358 with 5 HR, 11 RBI and are both bunting in strategic situations. There is little required of them offensively at the bottom of the order but they have been more productive than the left field position (their OBP is the next lowest to Heyward).

The first option could be giving Lockridge more playing time and an opportunity to face more right-handed pitching. His splits so far this year, with a small sample size, shows that he actually hits righties better than lefties.

If Heyward continues this trend it will be necessary for the team to either give Lockridge a longer look as a starter or begin a search for a replacement for Heyward. Either way, the veteran needs to not be the every day left fielder for the Padres.

The San Diego Padres are not getting enough offensive production from anyone playing in left field, especially Jason Heyward. Although the defense from both Heyward and right-handed outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been good, neither is carrying the offensive side adequately.

For the season Heyward sits .173/.226/.280 with 18 strikeouts to six walks. He has two home runs, two doubles and 12 RBI in 75 AB. Brandon Lockridge, as the right handed option the majority of the time, sits .234/.294/.319 with two RBI and four doubles in 47 AB. He has struck out nine times with four walks.

Most importantly, since the beginning of May, Heyward has six strikeouts, one walk, only three hits and six RBI for a .115/.138/.231 line in 26 AB. With the Padres facing more right-handed pitchers than lefties, Heyward plays more than Lockridge and has been making mostly weak contact or striking out for the last two weeks.

Given the issues with the bullpen recently, the Padres need production from the whole lineup and the most glaring problem is with the production from the left field position. If the corner outfielders don’t provide power they have to hit for average or get on base in some fashion. In April, with 37 AB, Heyward had an on base of .317 while still hitting in the bottom third of the batting order. His last two weeks of production have diminished from that. Lockridge, though hurt for a part of April, had 28 AB with a .233 on base.

For contrast, the catching position of Martin Maldonado and Elias Díaz (combined) are hitting .225/.280/.358 with 5 HR, 11 RBI and are both bunting in strategic situations. There is little required of them offensively at the bottom of the order but they have been more productive than the left field position (their OBP is the next lowest to Heyward).

The first option could be giving Lockridge more playing time and an opportunity to face more right-handed pitching. His splits so far this year, with a small sample size, shows that he actually hits righties better than lefties.

If Heyward continues this trend it will be necessary for the team to either give Lockridge a longer look as a starter or begin a search for a replacement for Heyward. Either way, the veteran needs to not be the every day left fielder for the Padres.