San Diego Padres Spring Preview 2026: Outfield

When it comes to the San Diego Padres' outfield entering the 2026 season, this is the group from which you can expect the most production. Which is saying a lot considering how good the Friars' bullpen is.

But that is because of the talent the the Padres have in the outfield.

That starts with Fernando Tatis Jr., moves to Jackson Merrill, and concludes with Ramon Laureano. All three figure to play significant roles in the offense, with Tatis and Merrill batting in the top four and Laureano possibly anchoring the bottom four.

Who Was Scheduled to Come Back?

In addition to Tatis in right, Merrill in center and Laureano in left, backup Bryce Johnson also returns. Thus, that continuity, along with the bulk of the position-player group returning 2025, bodes well for an offense that should be strong (despite some obvious shortcomings).

Since Tatis' forgettable 2022, in which he was recovering from a shoulder injury before being suspended for a performance-enhancing drug, the right fielder has bounced back. Not only has he been one of the best defenders in the game, but he's also also producing offensively. Sure, it hasn't been on the same level as his pre-suspension performance, but he has been very consistent in the three seasons since.

With his usual flair, Tatis has a combined .266/.344/.459 slash line over the last three years, with 71 homers, 198 RBIs and 72 steals. Take into account that he played just 104 games in 2024 and those numbers would be a few notches higher. Tatis earned down-ballot NL MVP votes in 2023 and 2025, the same years he won the NL Platinum Glove as the best defender, regardless of position, in the league. He fuels that Friars' offense from the leadoff spot, scoring 111 runs in 2025 and 91 in 2023. Tatis also played in a career-high 155 games in 2025, the first he hasn't had to deal with injuries since 2020.

Unfortunately, Merrill did deal with injuries in 2025. He went on the injured list three times, once for a strained hamstring (24 games missed), then a concussion (11 games), and then for a sprained right ankle (13 games). How those various ailments affected him throughout the season is probably a contributing factor to his .264/.317/.457 slash line with 16 homers, 67 RBIs and just one steal (three attempts).

That, of course, came after he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and received NL MVP votes with a slash line of .292/.326/.500, hitting 24 homers and driving in 90 with 16 steals (19 attempts). He also struck out 108 times in 483 plate appearances in 2025 after whiffing 101 times in 593 plate appearances as a rookie. As a positive, he did walk 33 times in 2025, up from 29 in 2024.

Laureano, a right-handed hitter who came over at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, had a career year in 2025. He put up a .290/.355/.529 slash line with the Orioles, then dropped to .269/.323/.489 with the Friars. He hit 15 homers with the Orioles in 290 plate appearances, then his nine in 198 plate appearances after the trade.

Johnson is back after the Friars reacquired him early in the 2025 season via a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was at Triple-A El Paso until mid-June. From there, the switch-hitter played in 55 games and had a surprising slash line of .342/.383/.434 with one homer and eight RBIs in 84 plate appearances. His role is mainly as a late-inning defensive replacement and pinch hitter.

Who Was Added?

Former Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos joined the fray after being released due to contract and clubhouse issues. His defense in right was not good, ranking 228th of 230 at the position with minus-11 defensive runs saved. He is known for his bat, averaging 21 homers and 82 RBIs over the last four seasons with the Phillies.

No other true outfielder was added, but a couple of hybrid players were. That starts with Miguel Andujar, who spent 2025 with the A's and Cincinnati Reds. He will likely be a top pinch-hitter as a right-handed power bat, though he can play both outfield and infield corners. His career has been marked by injuries and sapped a lot of his power, although he hit 10 in 341 plate appearances over 90 games last year.

Another option will be Sung Mun Song, a free agent from the Korea Baseball Organization. Song is a third baseman who also plays second base and a bit of first. He will be learning the outfield this spring training with the Padres to increase his versatility, perhaps becoming a super-utility player. Song has some offensive upside if the transition from the KBO goes smoothly.

Candidates to Join the Outfield?

There might not be another pure outfielder to join the fray. Tirso Ornelas is now gone after being DFA'd. Among non-roster invitees there is Pablo Reyes and Samad Taylor, who both also have infield experience. That will obviously boost their chances to join the Friars' bench. 

The Bottom Line

There are very few questions in the outfield. Tatis is a given, regaining the luster he lost in 2022 and re-establishing his position in the game as a superstar. He is firmly a fan favorite and the gas that drives the Padres' car. Merrill should bounce back assuming he's fully healthy, and Laureano will be in a good situation as the everyday left fielder, motivated by the fact that he's in a contract year.

Castellanos may get an occasional game in right, but he seems to be in the mix for time at first base or, at worst, as the designated hitter. Johnson is a solid backup, with Song and Andujar perhaps adding some more flair to this group. Regardless, the starting group will determine just how far this team goes in 2026.