Was 2026 a Successful Season for the Padres Three-Time Silver Slugger?
It’s now or never for the 2026 San Diego Padres. Few, if any, teams are as hot as San Diego right now. Despite a recent 7-0 loss to the Dodgers on September 23rd, the Padres are fresh off a ridiculous 13-1 stretch that gave them massive traction in the loaded National League Wild Card race. The surge has blasted them to an 87-70 record overall. Most importantly, it gave them a beautiful four-game cushion in the National League Wild Card race over the division rival Diamondbacks. The return of a 33-year-old ace, coupled with awesome offensive production, has made the Padres one of the scariest teams in baseball, but all season, one bat has been wildly confusing.
Premier Pedigree
Entering 2026, Manny Machado was among the first names mentioned as an elite third baseman in MLB. It’s easy to see why: plenty of awards and counting stats, while being the face of a regularly playoff-bound franchise. From 2019-2025, Machado averaged 4.6 WAR per 162 games, made possible by stellar defense and a 32.5 home run pace per season. Notably, his stretch from 2019-2025 was entirely with the Padres, a period during which he became essential to both the Padres' success and the happiness of the city he lived in. Despite solid production every season, the peak came in 2022, a season in which the third baseman finished second in National League MVP voting. The former Oriole put up a whopping 6.8 WAR thanks to 32 home runs, a .898 OPS, and great defense. Beyond the peak, Machado entered 2026 coming off one of his best seasons as a Padre, according to WAR. The smooth-swinging third baseman registered 4.2 WAR in 159 games, his third-best total as a Friar. He did it on 27 home runs, posting a .795 OPS. Fresh off his second straight National League Silver Slugger Award, Machado seemed on pace to continue his wildly consistent stretch of seasons entering 2026.
2026’s Reality
To say the 33-year-old started the season off slow would be an understatement. Despite being a notorious slow starter, San Diego’s veteran cornerstone struggled mightily. The seven-time all-star fluctuated above and below the .200 mark through July, finally settling above it on July 20th. His on-base percentage hasn't been pretty either, currently at .306, well below his career average of .335. These statistics would make you write off Machado’s 2026 season as terrible, but there's some nuance to his recent campaign. Despite plummeting on-base numbers, the veteran slugger has maintained his power. He still has a chance at the 30-home-run mark, with 28 long balls. The defense has returned to form, too. After a down year defensively in 2025, the former Dodger has posted a fielding run value in the 84th percentile according to Baseball Savant. Still, his slugging percentage is the lowest it has been in a season. Machado’s slugging percentage sits at .404, a drastic drop from the .480 mark his career carries. Despite the improved defense and 28 home runs, it’s clear: this is a career-worst year for one of baseball's most consistent players. His .710 OPS is miles below his .815 career mark. San Diego’s hot-corner anchor’s 2026 regular season can’t be considered good, but his playoff performance could make all Padres fans forget about it. With the playoffs approaching, Machado has a massive opportunity to step up into his role as captain and lead the Friars into the postseason.
