Donovan Solano pushing Padres for playing time

With the way Donovan Solano is playing, the San Diego Padres may want to consider rotating him into the mix more often.

Photo byUSA Today Sports

Depth is an important factor in a successful major league season.

Thankfully, the San Diego Padres have depth as far as their infield is concerned.

There are several all-star caliber players sprinkled around the infield for the Padres. Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Luis Arraez, and Ha-Seong Kim are the starting four infielders and the DH for the Padres on a daily level. That is an excellent group, but Donovan Solano is playing out of his mind and forcing the Padres to insert him in the lineup whenever and wherever they can.

Solano is a veteran of 11 major league seasons, and the 36-year-old is arguably enjoying his finest effort.

The right-handed hitter is hitting .313 with five homers and 27 RBI in limited playing time this year. His .799 OPS in 195 at-bats is very respectable, and the native of Colombia can play all over the infield. Donovan Solano looks exceptionally strong at third base, where he has made several "Manny Machado-like" plays this season.

Solano started the season with the El Paso Chihuahuas, as he failed to earn a contract after a semi-productive 2023 season in Minnesota. The veteran put up a .760 OPS in 134 games with the Twins last year. A contract offer never came, but the lifetime .281 hitter knew he had something left in the tank. He did not give up. Solano stayed in shape.

The Padres signed Solano in late April. He played 12 games in the PCL before the Padres added him to the 40-man roster in mid-May. The thought was a veteran off the bench who may be able to fill in mostly against left-handed pitching. Solano proved to be more than a platoon guy as he currently holds a .307 batting average against right-handed pitchers with a .730 OPS. Solano does hit lefties better but is showing a major league at-bat against all-comers whether they throw right-handed or left-handed.

That is just it. Solano provides the team with a proven veteran who constantly grinds out at-bats and plays the game "the right way." The players admire Solano, and the fan base is starting to grasp what he is doing for the younger players on the team.

In recent weeks, we have seen Solano pinch-hit for Jake Cronenworth late in the game against left-handed pitchers.

Manager Mike Schildt plays the numbers, and Solano rewards the manager with production. Kim is struggling with the bat, but his defense is irreplaceable. Bogaerts is capable of playing the position, but the Padres seem content with leaving him at second base. Bogaerts has only played two innings at shortstop so far this season. Tyler Wade is the clear backup at the position.

One way or another, the Padres must find ways to get Solano in the lineup.

Depth is a beautiful thing.