The Positive Padre

Sure, he was about 70 points better at Fenway than overall, but that "overall" INCLUDES his Fenway numbers. The difference between his Fenway performance and everywhere else is well north of 100 points. His career road numbers through 2022 made it clear that he was an ordinary hitter, and I shouted it from the rooftops when we signed him. He was miscast as a star and certainly as a "power hitter." I will be surprised if he ever hits 20 homers in a season again and stunned if he ever hits 25. All that's left is for us to hope that he can be an above-average regular for at least a few more years. I'll continue to root for him, as I know you will.

2019 was a juiced-ball illusion, and much of his over-the-fence powers in other seasons was largely Fenway-fueled. Aside from 2019, a season in which his 33 homers easily outdistances his second-best total of 23 (achieved twice), he's never hit more than ten road homers in a season. You might think of him as a power hitter, but he has never been one. You guys are doing real good work at Padre Mission. I am enjoying it a great deal and link to most of the pieces at my Positive Padre Facebook group. Keep it up!!! Oh, and f*** the dodgers.