Padres Take a Gamble on First Baseman Trenton Brooks

The San Diego Padres have added some depth to their first base situation by signing veteran minor leaguer Trenton Brooks to a minor league deal.

Brooks, a 29-year-old lefty hitter, boasts a strong track record in the minors. He's known for his impressive plate discipline, with a career minor league walk rate of 13.8% and a strikeout rate of 16.4% over the past four seasons. While his home run production hasn't been prolific (55 homers in four years), he consistently puts the ball in play and gets on base at a good clip (.383 on-base percentage).

Despite his minor league success, Brooks' major league experience has been limited. He received a brief stint with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, struggling offensively in a small sample size (12 games, .120 batting average).

The Padres already have established options at first base in Luis Arráez and Jake Cronenworth. However, Cronenworth might be needed at second base if Xander Bogaerts returns to shortstop with Ha-Seong Kim leaving via free agency. Additionally, the Padres are lacking a designated hitter, potentially opening a spot for another bat in the lineup.

The signing of Brooks provides the Padres with several benefits:

• Depth at First Base: Brooks offers experienced competition for playing time and adds valuable depth to the first base position.
• Versatility: With the potential move of Cronenworth, Brooks could fill in as a backup option at first.
• Low-Cost Option: With limited major league service time, Brooks represents a cost-effective way to potentially add offensive production.

While Brooks has yet to find his footing at the major league level, his strong minor league track record and positive attributes make him an intriguing gamble for the Padres. If he can overcome his struggles and demonstrate success in San Diego, he could find himself contributing significantly to the team's lineup.

​It remains to be seen if Brooks can earn a call-up to the majors, but the Padres are giving him a chance to compete and potentially solidify a spot on the roster.