According to the MLB.com transactions page, Trenton Brooks has signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres. With the San Francisco Giants, Brooks made his Major League Baseball debut in 2024. He played in 12 games, mostly as the team’s first baseman when LaMonte Wade Jr. was out. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter Brooks has recently enjoyed success in the minor leagues. He balanced a 15.5% walk rate and a 15% strikeout rate in 2024 while hitting.302 with a.410 OBP and 10 home runs with the Sacramento River Cats.
Brooks only hit.120 with a.241 OBP in 29 plate appearances during his brief time with the Giants, so those numbers didn’t exactly translate. Nonetheless, he is a good depth option who might succeed if given a little more time in the major leagues. Brooks signed with the A’s in November 2022 prior to joining the Giants. Before being moved to San Francisco in an unusual post-deadline trade for veteran left-hander Sean Newcomb—both players were in the minor leagues—he had a strong season with the A’s in Triple-A, hitting.299 with a.405 on-base and 16 home runs in 94 games.
When San Diego’s Spring Training starts in 2025, Brooks might be considered for a bench position. Tyler Wade, a left-hander, is now one of the team’s bench bats. His primary skill is speed, but Brooks can also contribute a little pop. Wade’s sprint speed was in the 85th percentile, while Brooks’ was in the fifth, but it wasn’t for nothing that he stole ten bags in the minor leagues the previous season.
Additionally, Brooks is not yet on the 40-man roster, which can be postponed until there is a more urgent need for his services at the major league level. Wade is out of options, so removing him from the roster would require him to clear waivers in order to remain with the Padres. Additionally, in limited time, Brooks recorded a +1 Out Above Average at first base, according to Baseball Savant, suggesting that his defence may occasionally be helpful. Since the Giants didn’t use him out there, they lacked metrics for his outfield defence.
All in all, this is an interesting signing by the Padres, who are a team with hopes of conetending for the World Series in 2025. If they feel that Brooks may be of some use in that journey, then maybe he’ll get an opportunity to make his mark after nine years in the minors.
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