Luis Arraez trade keeps paying dividends for Padres

"He's got this great talent that's coupled with high baseball IQ, with great focus, and a great approach and then great physical hand-eye talent," Padres manager Mike Shildt said of Arraez after the victory, via Footer. "It's just like a perfect blend of a guy that knows what he's doing with the bat in his hand."

Arraez's hot streak is providing the spark the Padres need.

"That guy gets you going," San Diego right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. told Footer. "He's one of the best hitters I've ever seen play the game of baseball. That just motivates you — you want to do the same thing. He definitely gets this lineup going, and he just adds a lot to this team."

Since the Padres acquired Arraez from the Miami Marlins, they've won 10 of their last 17 games. Following the win over the Reds, San Diego (27-26) is second in the National League West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (33-19).

Perhaps Arraez will help the Padres make the playoffs after they missed the postseason in 2023. Maybe he'll become the first player to win three batting titles with three different teams. Since arriving in San Diego, the two-time All-Star has recorded a stellar .419 batting average.