Over the course of the month, LWOSports will be breaking down the top five MLB players in franchise history for all 30 teams. This article will rank the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history least to best by who had the biggest impact for the team. You can check out the other series articles here.
The San Diego Padres do not exactly have a glowing history of success on their side. In fact, they have made only five playoff appearances since coming into existence for the 1969 season. Within that are two World Series appearances, however, they both resulted in losses in 1984 and 1998. Regardless, the team has managed to produce a handful of great players over the years. Here are the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history.
Top Five San Diego Padres Players
5. Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez comes in at number five on the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history. Although he originally appeared in the big leagues with Texas, his career got off the ground in San Diego. In fact, Gonzalez spent five seasons in a Padres uniform, compiling some solid numbers during his tenure. Gonzalez was selected as an All-Star three times in San Diego while also winning two Gold Glove Awards. Additionally, he was extremely durable, only missing 11 games in five years. Gonzalez left San Diego to continue a very good career with a couple of different teams.
Accolades in San Diego: Three-time All-Star, two Gold Glove Awards.
Stats with San Diego: .288 batting average, .374 on-base percentage, .514 slugging percentage, .888 OPS, 464 runs scored, 856 hits, 176 doubles, 7 triples, 161 home runs, 501 runs batted in, 403 walks, 618 strikeouts.
Franchise ranks: 3rd in WAR, 5th in offensive WAR, t-7th in batting average, 9th in on-base percentage, 3rd in slugging percentage, 3rd in OPS, 14th most games played, 5th in runs scored, 7th in hits, 4th in total bases, t-6th in doubles, 2nd in home runs, 4th in runs batted in, 6th in walks, 3rd in runs created, 4th in win probability added.
4. Jake Peavy
Checking in at number four on the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history is Jake Peavy. Peavy began his career by playing his first eight seasons in San Diego. Certainly, he had his ups and downs while with the Padres, however, the ups outweigh the downs. For instance, his 2007 Cy Young Award season was simply amazing. In fact, Peavy led the majors with 19 wins along with a 2.54 earned run average while also striking out a league-leading 240 batters. Also, Peavy led the majors with a 1.061 WHIP. Additionally, he led the majors in strikeouts in 2005 with 216 while leading the league in 2004 with a 2.27 ERA.
Accolades in San Diego: Two-time All-Star, 2007 Cy Young Award.
Stats with San Diego: 92-68 record, 3.29 earned run average, 1.186 WHIP, 1,348 strikeouts, 435 walks, seven complete games, three shutouts.
Franchise ranks: 2nd in WAR for pitchers, 7th in earned run average, t-2nd in wins, 4th in WHIP, 2nd in strikeouts per nine innings, 18th in games pitched, 1st in strikeouts, 2nd in strikeout/walk ratio, 3rd in win probability added.
3. Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield comes in at number three on the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history. Winfield spent plenty of his Hall of Fame career with other teams, including the Yankees. However, his career was launched in San Diego. In fact, his first eight of 22 seasons were in a Padres uniform. Towards the back half of his tenure with the team, Winfield began to come into his own as a great all-around MLB player. For example, in his seventh season, 1979, he led the majors in runs batted in with 118 as well as OPS+ and total bases. Additionally, he won two of his seven career Gold Gloves with the Padres. Winfield also goes down as one of the greatest athletes to ever play in the majors considering he was drafted in the MLB, NBA, ABA, and the NFL.
Accolades in San Diego: Four-time All-Star, two Gold Glove Awards.
Stats with San Diego: .284 batting average, .357 on-base percentage, .464 slugging percentage, .821 OPS, 599 runs scored, 1,134 hits, 179 doubles, 39 triples, 154 home runs, 626 runs batted in, 133 stolen bases, 463 walks, 585 strikeouts.
Franchise ranks: 2nd in WAR, 2nd in offensive WAR, 10th in batting average, t-14th in on-base percentage, 7th in slugging percentage, 8th in OPS, 3rd most games played, 2nd in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 2nd in total bases, 5th in doubles, t-3rd in triples, 4th in home runs, 2nd in runs batted in, 4th in walks, 7th in stolen bases, 2nd in runs created, 2nd in power-speed number, 2nd in win probability added.
2. Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman is number two on the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history. If it was not for a guy named Mariano Rivera along with pitching for some bad Padres teams from time to time, Hoffman might go down as the greatest closer of all time. Certainly, when “Hell’s Bells” began blaring through the speakers, the other team knew they were in trouble every time. Hoffman pitched in San Diego for 16 of his 18 total seasons, compiling 552 of his 601 career saves there. Additionally, he came in second in the Cy Young voting twice, which for a relief pitcher is insane. In both seasons, 1998 and 2006, he led the majors in saves with 53 and 46, which is incredible.
Accolades in San Diego: Hall of Fame, seven-time All-Star, two-time Rolaids Relief Award winner.
Stats with San Diego: 54-64 record, 552 saves, 2.76 earned run average, 1.043 WHIP, 1,029 strikeouts, 255 walks.
Franchise ranks: 1st in WAR for pitchers, 1st in ERA, 11th in wins, 1st in WHIP, 1st in strikeouts per nine innings, 1st in games pitched, 1st in saves, 3rd in strikeouts, 1st in strikeout/walk ratio, 1st in win probability added.
1. Tony Gwynn
The clear number one on the top five San Diego Padres players in franchise history is Tony Gwynn. Certainly, Gwynn was flat out amazing. He was the definition of a professional hitter but was much more than that. Gwynn was a great centerfielder as well as efficient on the basepaths. Amazingly, he never struck out more than 40 times during his 20-year career in San Diego. In fact, Gwynn’s 162 game average for strikeouts is only 29. The only season in which he hit less than .309 was his first season when he hit .289 in only 190 at-bats. Gwynn incredibly hit over .350 seven times during his career, while hitting .370 or above three times en route to eight batting titles. He led the league in hits seven times, runs scored once along with on-base percentage once. Gwynn certainly had an awesome career, yet shockingly never won an MVP.
Accolades in San Diego: Hall of Fame, 15-time All-Star, five Gold Glove Awards, seven-time Silver Slugger, eight batting titles.
Stats with San Diego: .338 batting average, .388 on-base percentage, .459 slugging percentage, .847 OPS, 1,383 runs scored, 3,141 hits, 543 doubles, 85 triples, 135 home runs, 1,138 runs batted in, 319 stolen bases, 790 walks, 434 strikeouts.
Franchise ranks: 1st in WAR, 1st in offensive WAR, 1st in batting average, t-2nd in on-base percentage, 8th in slugging percentage, 6th in OPS, 1st in games played, 1st in runs scored, 1st in hits, 1st in total bases, 1st in doubles, 1st in triples. 5th in home runs, 1st in runs batted in, 1st in walks, 1st in stolen bases, 1st in runs created, 1st in power-speed number, 1st in win probability added.
Honorable mention: Ken Caminiti, Phil Nevin, Gene Richards, Benito Santiago.
Last Word
Tony Gwynn clearly is one of the most obvious number one choices out of any team. However, as you can see, there are several worthy players on this list. Let us know what you think. Also, be sure to keep tabs as every other team is being released this month.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
