Padres' biggest X-factor could give them a postseason edge

In last season’s MLB playoffs, the San Diego Padres came relatively close to toppling the dominant Los Angeles Dodgers, losing the NLDS in the maximum five games after a quick, two-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the wild card round. The Dodgers would go on to win the 2024 World Series.

This year, the Padres are once more an underdog, heading into a postseason field that consists of heavyweights such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and the Dodgers. ESPN recently listed the Padres as ninth in their MLB power rankings behind every current National League contender besides the New York Mets. But the Padres now feature an X-factor they didn’t have before this season’s trade deadline – and if they came close to beating the Dodgers without him last year, he might just put them over the top this year. 

Ramon Laureano could be the deciding factor for the Padres in the postseason 

On a team with stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, it’s easy for a journeyman like Ramon Laureano to get overlooked. But despite posting underwhelming stats for most of his career, Laureano owns some of the best numbers on the team this season. The 31-year-old outfielder is hitting .290/.353/.527 with 23 home runs entering Saturday, most of which he accrued with the Baltimore Orioles before coming to San Diego at the trade deadline. Laureano is currently posting career highs across his slash line and still has enough time to notch a new career high in home runs. He is only one short of tying his 24 home-run mark from 2019. 

Over the offseason, Laureano signed a one-year deal with a club option for $6.5 million, a sum that appears somewhat light for this year's production and a seemingly convincing selling point when the Padres traded for him. Since they added him, Laureano has worked to shore up their glaring offensive weakness, which has been their one major flaw all season. As a whole, the Padres' batting order is responsible for a mere .705 OPS (OPS: on-base percentage + slugging percentage), ranking them 20^th in baseball. 

A flaw this sizable against quality postseason pitching is a near-certain playbook for an early exit. At minimal, Laureano’s bat gives the Padres a fighting chance. But should they head into the postseason with a performance similar to last year’s, Laureano could give the Padres an under-the-radar edge. With oft-overlooked talents like Laureano, Michael King and Nick Pivetta just to name a few, the Padres are one underdog that should not be underestimated.