Padres hired Steven Souza Jr. as hitting coach and Randy Knorr as bench coach under first-year skipper Craig Stammen. Souza, 36, has no prior MLB coaching experience, retired as a player in 2022, and spent the 2025 season as a special assistant with the Rays. Souza played parts of eight major-league seasons, totaling 72 home runs with a .229/.318/.411 batting line in just under 1,900 plate appearances; his peak years came in Tampa Bay from 2015–17, including a 30-homer campaign. Souza replaces Victor Rodriguez and will lead an offense that ranked 18th in scoring despite strong average and OBP marks. Petco Park's pitcher-friendly nature and weak road power contributed to offensive shortfalls. Ryan O'Hearn and Luis Arraez are free agents, and first base represents a clear area to add power.
"Souza's hiring comes as a surprise. The 36-year-old has never worked on an MLB staff. He retired as a player in 2022 and spent the '25 season as a special assistant with the Rays. Souza played parts of eight big league campaigns. The righty-hitting outfielder did his best work in Tampa Bay between 2015-17, including a 30-homer showing in his final season at Tropicana Field. Souza hit 72 round-trippers overall, batting .229/.318/.411 in just under 1900 career plate appearances."
"They were top 10 in batting average and on-base percentage and had the sport's third-lowest strikeout rate, but they finished above only the Pirates and Cardinals in home runs. Petco Park remains relatively favorable for pitchers. That may have played a bit of a role in the team's pedestrian offense, but they were 23rd in scoring and 28th in homers on the road."
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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