Former batting champion hopes mid-game pushups maintain power

San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez. Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Former batting champion hopes mid-game pushups maintain rare power

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 1:05 AM ET

San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez doesn't often hit home runs, but when he does, they are fueled by a bizarre workout technique.

Arraez went yard in the third inning of the Padres' game against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night for just his seventh home run of the season. His two-run shot came with one runner on base and two outs already on the board.

Arraez came up in the clutch for San Diego, but are more on the way since he exercised his muscles in the middle of the game?

Well, while time will tell for that answer, we can still enjoy Arraez's mid-game pushups nonetheless.

Maybe intentional, maybe mot, Arraez dropped down and started doing pushups after backing away from a pitch on an at-bat following his home run.

Have to maintain that home run power!

Luis Arraez does some mid-game pushups https://t.co/21opaLyfn2 pic.twitter.com/V3RKW1Iev8
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025

The official MLB X account even joked that he "has to maintain that home run power" in their post about the funny moment.

But in all seriousness, home runs are just a bonus for the Padres when it comes to Arraez. His seven home runs so far this season put him only three away from tying his personal single-season best.

Arráez hit 10 with the Miami Marlins in 2023, statistically his best overall season to date. He finished with 69 RBI and a staggering .354 batting average in 147 games.

So far in 2025, Arraez has 50 RBI and entered the game hitting .285 in 132 games prior to Tuesday night.

A three-time MLB All-Star, Arraez has established a legacy as one of the best pure hitters in baseball in recent years.

As a three-time batting champion, Arraez led his the league in average in three consecutive seasons from 2022-24. He even owns the distinction as being only the second player in the modern era to ever win a batting title in both leagues.

Arraez also owns two Silver Slugger awards and two 200-hit seasons, reaching the milestone in back-to-back seasons, first with the Minnesota Twins and then again during time spent with both the Twins and Marlins.

Not that he needs to, is it possible push ups will become Arraez's new path to hitting more home runs?

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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