Padres

MLB National League West San Diego Padres 2022

In 2021, the Padres finished just 79-83, 28 games behind the San Francisco Giants for first in the division. With the Giants and Dodgers also in the NL West, the Padres will have their hands full as they try to make the postseason.

Still, San Diego is currently tied for the seventh-best odds of winning the World Series in 2022 and have the assets to make a run at the division.

Prior to the MLB lockout, the Padres signed pitchers Luis Garcia, Robert Suarez, and Nick Martinez to deals, but it would not be shocking to see them active in both the free-agent and trade markets before the 2022 season.

Additionally, they acquired catcher Jorge Alfaro from the Marlins and traded Adam Frazier to the Mariners for a couple of prospects.

The Padres also have some legitimate prospect talent, including shortstop CJ Abrams, catcher Luis Campusano, outfielder Robert Hassell, pitcher Mackenzie Gore, and outfielder James Wood.

With one of the best players in baseball in shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and a solid cast around him, expect the Padres to be all in for the 2022 season. Life in the division will be tough with the likes of the Dodgers and Giants fighting for the top spot, but the Padres will look to veteran manager Bob Melvin to help them get over the playoff hump and hopefully back to the World Series.

MLB National League West San Diego Padres History

Starting with the 1969 season, four teams were added to Major League Baseball. In addition to the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots, and Montreal Expos, it was at this time that the San Diego Padres franchise was officially born.

In the National League, the Padres and the Expos held an expansion draft in October 1968. The Padres selected outfielder Ollie Brown (from the San Francisco Giants) in the draft with their first pick.

The rest of their top five picks included pitcher Dave Giusti (Cardinals), pitcher Dick Selma (Mets), pitcher Al Santorini (Braves), and infielder Jose Arcia (Cubs).

While several teams are located in California, the Padres and the Angels are the only ones to have started and currently exist in the state.

The Padres’ first season was also when MLB instituted divisions into their leagues. As a result, since their inception, the Padres have been part of the NL West.

The Padres have played in two parks throughout their history. From 1969 to 2003, the club played at Qualcomm Stadium. Since the 2004 season, the Padres have called Petco Park home.

Going back to their earliest season, the franchise has a losing record to date as they are 3,863 – 4,495, good for a .462 winning percentage.