Throughout this offseason filled with speculation, the San Diego Padres decided to retain infielder Jake Cronenworth, recognizing his adaptability and hitting ability as critical assets. This move ensures the team has a valuable shortstop backup should something happen to starter Xander Bogaerts, placing Cronenworth in a pivotal role for the 2026 season.
Manager Craig Stammen highlighted Cronenworth’s role in shortstop depth during a spring camp media session, affirming,
“Jake [Cronenworth] is definitely one of them.”
Stammen recalled how the Padres experimented with Cronenworth at shortstop last season, with promising results, stating,
“We put him over there last season — I don’t know what the decision-making was, I wasn’t part of that — but then he came over and made some great plays [at shortstop] in Colorado, if I remember right. And then we were kinda like, ‘Alright, Jake can play shortstop.’”
Besides Cronenworth, Stammen mentioned Sung-mun Song and Mason McCoy as candidates who could step in for Bogaerts if needed, though he stopped short of naming a designated backup. Still, Cronenworth appears to be the leading option among these players.
Significance of Cronenworth’s Flexibility for the Padres
After a quiet offseason regarding position players, the Padres’ front office, led by A.J. Preller, made several key signings such as Nick Castellanos, Miguel Andujar, and Ty France. These additions increase competition for limited bench spots on the Opening Day roster. Importantly, each of these new players mostly covers either infield or outfield corners, leaving a gap in flexibility that Cronenworth helps fill.
While Sung-mun Song is expected to provide some versatility, he faces the challenge of adapting from the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) to Major League Baseball’s more demanding level of pitching. His defensive reliability across various positions remains uncertain, making Cronenworth’s established experience even more crucial for the Padres.
Cronenworth’s Track Record Indicates Reliable Backup Potential
Jake Cronenworth has logged over 507 innings at shortstop throughout his career, though he saw limited action in that position between 2023 and 2024 and had just 79 innings there last year. His defensive metrics during that time were positive, registering 3 Outs Above Average and 1 Defensive Run Saved, suggesting he can handle a larger role if called upon.
The Padres’ plan is for Bogaerts to stay healthy and continue improving defensively after his strong 2025 season. However, in the event of Bogaerts missing time, the team may rely heavily on Cronenworth’s ability to provide effective coverage at shortstop, making his role essential to maintaining the team’s defensive balance.
Outlook for the Padres’ Shortstop Situation Ahead of Opening Day
Heading into the 2026 season, the Padres’ depth at shortstop and overall roster flexibility will likely be tested. With limited proven alternatives and uncertainties surrounding younger players like Song and McCoy, Jake Cronenworth stands as the most dependable internal solution for a backup shortstop role. This assurance could prove vital for San Diego’s infield stability and in-game adaptability throughout the campaign.
Craig Stammen was asked who the Padres' backup shortstop options are and if Jake Cronenworth is one of the options: pic.twitter.com/vk3IMRn9yW
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 18, 2026
