The Padres have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent infielder Max Schrock, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The Icon client received an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Shrock, 28, has spent parts of three seasons in the Majors, batting a combined .236/.292/.359 with four homers, seven doubles, a pair of triples, a 20.2% strikeout rate and a 5.1% walk rate in 237 trips to the plate between the Cardinals and Reds. The lefty-swinging Schrock has played second base, all four corner positions and even tossed a few innings of mop-up relief in his big league career thus far, though second base has been far and away his most frequent position (with third base the only other spot he’s seen more than occasional playing time).
Though he had a rough stretch in his first look at Triple-A as a 23-year-old back in 2018, Schrock has been productive there in 2019, 2021 and 2022; in that trio of Triple-A seasons he’s slashed .284/.354/.411 through 514 plate appearances.
The Padres’ starting infield is likely set, with Manny Machado at third base, Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, Ha-Seong Kim at second base and Jake Cronenworth likely sliding to first base. Fernando Tatis’ Jr.’s eventual return will further deepen that mix, either pushing Kim to a utility role or creating a carousel where an infielder is slotting in at designated hitter most days. That said, the Padres’ bench is lacking in veteran options with MLB experience, so there could be some backup roles up for grabs. In that sense, Schrock’s experience at multiple spots and his left-handed bat (on a team with more righty-swinging starters) could work to his benefit.
towinagain
Yeah, that’ll do it.
fearthecub
Schrock, Schrmock.
User 3663041837
Oh yeah the Schrocker gonna be that bench bat for the Daddy O’s
toomanyblacksinbaseball
From Tacoma. When the Twins had AAA in Tacoma, being sent down was the end of a player’s career.
MWeller77
I hope he doesn’t turn out to be just another Schrock jock
Brew88
Hopefully this guy won’t bump Eguy Rosario down the ladder
Henry Silvestre
Rosario is a legit prospect.. with Padres infield the last thing they want is Rosario sitting in the bench 80-90% of the time.. He is better served building on his great 2022bat AAA and developing accordingly at El Paso…
Brew88
Agree with giving him ABs, but Rosario will likely have little to prove in AAA by summer, and my concern is that he not be blocked from promotion to ML by Schrock.
Monkey’s Uncle
This is a Schrocking development.
waterdog311
If the van’s schrockin’ don’t come knockin’
itsmeheyhii
If only the Yanks had signed him John Sterling would’ve giggled with anticipation.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
When it comes to Mr. Schrock, you may find that wanting is more desirable than having. It is illogical, but in my experience, it often is so.
MWeller77
Well done, sir
fre5hwind
I like Max, hope he does well, tore up my Pirates pitching.
whyhayzee
Schraper schrissors.
Unclemike1526
I thought he died in Batman 2 when Catwoman electrocuted him.
fearthecub
He didn’t die, be just became a green ogre with a Scottish accent.
Snellzilla #7
Oh this is the move that finally gets them to the WS lmao
Jacksson13
Not only is this move a complete surprise,
It is a real SCHROCK !!
nottinghamforest13
He didn’t conform to the Cardinals way and has paid the price.
RePete
He was with the Reds the last couple of years. Schrock gave solid at bats, so I thought his numbers would be better. He was just injured a lot and couldn’t stay on the field.