Bold opening: The Padres’ bench battle is heating up as star players head to the World Baseball Classic, and every at-bat could tilt the season’s opening chapters. And this is the part most people miss: the depth behind the stars may define how far San Diego goes.
In Peoria, Arizona, Bryce Johnson is the clear example of a player who has kept proving himself. He filled in when Fernando Tatis Jr. was sidelined with a quad injury in late 2024, missed a playoff bench spot, and spent time on the 40-man roster’s periphery after free agency. He returned to San Diego last year on a minor-league deal with the Pirates, then was traded back to the Padres and spent time at Triple-A El Paso. There, he thrived as a fourth outfielder, earned a spot on the NL Wild Card Series roster, and remained on the 40-man roster through the offseason. Yet spring camp hasn’t altered his mindset one bit.
Johnson is in a fight. There’s no sugarcoating it. “You never truly know where you’re at when you’re in my position,” he said. “I don’t want to get into a complacent mindset. I just show up, be consistent each day, build on what I did last year, and stay true to who I am as a player.”
Playing time is likely to be plentiful now, but the competition for one bench spot is intensifying with Tatis, Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts away at the WBC. The Padres did not add a new challenger to push Luis Campusano for the backup catcher job. Sung-Mun Song’s $2.5 million deal already gives him a leg up in a possible super-utility role, while Miguel Andújar and Nick Castellanos provide familiar right-handed pop to mix at first base and designated hitter, with Gavin Sheets in the mix as well.
The rest of the roster churns into a true free-for-all, featuring players such as Johnson, Samad Taylor, Ty France, Jose Miranda, Mason McCoy, and more, all vying for a meaningful role.
Padres manager Craig Stammen framed the strategy: you want someone on the bench who can frighten a pitcher in a pinch-hit situation, plus players who can contribute in multiple ways—defense, speed on the bases, and situational versatility. The staff will weigh those traits to decide who best fills those late-inning and spot-start duties.
Song’s versatility will be a focal point. The Korean import has logged time at second and third base already in camp and could add value if he expands to shortstop and outfield. If Song can handle shortstop, the potential lineup flexibility would be significant, especially since Mason McCoy is the only other 40-man option at short behind Bogaerts, though Jake Cronenworth can slide there when needed.
Time will reveal the exact mix.
Meanwhile, the Padres will spread plenty of at-bats among their candidates. In a recent game, Castellanos and Miranda started in right field and at third base in place of the absent Tatis and Machado, with Johnson and Nick Schnell adding at-bats. In another day, McCoy started at shortstop with Miranda at first, Song at second, France at third, Johnson in right, and Jace Bowen in center.
The pattern should persist until Tatis, Machado, and Bogaerts return to full action.
McCoy remains unpressed but ready. “I think the opportunity’s there. I’m not overthinking it,” he said. “Bogey will be at the WBC, hopefully tearing it up, and I’ll get chances to play. I’m not a young guy feeling pressure—just go out and play, and let the rest take care of itself.”
McCoy’s latest performance underscored why the organization values his steadiness: a defensive replacement who flipped a bunt for a hit and followed with a two-run double, reminding fans of his previous call-ups.
History also supports Bryce Johnson’s case: a switch-hitter who hit .343 last year, swiped four bases in five attempts, and played all three outfield spots. The club is keenly aware of France’s elite defense at first base and his status as an All-Star, though a flood of new faces promises a strong bench battle over the next two weeks.
Through Sunday, two players stood out for their impact— speedy outfielder Taylor and former Twins standout Miranda—each tied for the team lead with six hits. Schnell’s two homers put him in a tie with Machado for the team lead, while Miranda and Nick Solak share the lead with 11 total bases, and Bowen’s base-stealing edge over Taylor continues to surface.
For Miranda, the opportunity to show what he can do without Bogaerts present felt especially meaningful. “They told me Manny would be at the WBC, and there would be playing time,” he said. “They want to see me hit and perform. I’ll get looks, and I’ll show them who I am.”
Taylor echoed the same sentiment: when a stable organization has established stars, every day becomes a contest for your role. “You’re fighting for your job every day,” he said.
In other words, the Padres are preparing for a long, competitive spring where the bench can be a game-changer—if the players seize the moment and the coaching staff identifies the right mix for late-inning matchups and multi-position flexibility. The next two weeks should reveal whether this group can deliver that edge when it matters most.
