Jake Bauers Drafted by Padres

In the seventh round of the 2013 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected a first baseman from Marina High School in Huntington Beach named Jake Bauers.

Bauers as Throw-in in Trade

Bauers was effectively a throw-in to the December 2014 trade that sent Trea Turner to the Washington Nationals and brought Wil Myers to the Padres.

“Steven Souza Jr., now the Padres' hitting coach, was sent from the Washington Nationals to the Tampa Bay Rays in the same three-team trade.”

Bauers' 2026 World Series Role

Among all the players who will participate in the 2026 World Series, none poses more intrigue for the Padres than Bauers, whose career-high 26-homer season for the Milwaukee Brewers came just in time for his…

Bauers' 2026 Performance

Bauers slashed .266/.389/.484 in 144 games (all career bests) for the Brewers in the regular season.

Bauers' NLDS Performance

Bauers only had three hits in four NL Division Series games against the Padres, but he reached base at a .471 clip.

Padres Need Plan B

With Ty France headed for free agency after a career year of his own, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller needs a Plan B in case he can't re-sign the first baseman.

“Bauers is a logical fit.”

Bauers' Bargain Contract

The Brewers paid Bauers only $2.7 million in 2026, a bargain for a player who accrued 3.3 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.

“A deeper dive suggests Bauers' surface stats were no fluke.”

Bauers' Statcast Elite Stats

According to Statcast, Bauers' barrel rate, exit velocity and bat speed were all elite in 2026.

Bauers' Versatility

A left-handed hitter who can also play both corner outfield positions, Bauers would give the Padres a more balanced lineup than the right-handed hitting France.