San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Azocar is going to have more opportunities in spring training to prove that he deserves a bigger role in 2024. "You'll see that based on at-bats. He'll get the opportunity in spring training to play center and maybe move around a couple different spots depending on how the roster shapes up. He's gonna get an opportunity to take that next step and work towards earning more time," manager Mike Shildt said. The Padres have an opening in their outfield now that both Juan Soto and Trent Grisham are with the Yankees, and the 27-year-old Azocar will be a candidate to start in center field for San Diego in 2024. However, fantasy managers may not want to expect much after he had a weak .641 OPS in 55 games in 2023 and a .695 OPS in 49 games at Triple-A El Paso. Speed is his biggest asset.
The San Diego Padres recalled outfielder Jose Azocar from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and optioned infielder Matthew Batten to El Paso in a corresponding move. Azocar has played in 26 games for the Friars in 2023, going 12-for-51 (.235) with no home runs, two doubles, three RBI, six stolen bases and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old Venezuelan outfielder won't be worth looking at in mixed leagues as a reserve player for San Diego, but he could be worth a pickup in NL-only leagues because of his speed. Azocar has 11 stolen bases on 18 attempts in the last two seasons for the Padres in 124 games. Batten will return to the farm after going 6-for-23 (.261) with a homer and three RBI in 13 games in 2023 at the big-league level.
