San Diego native Trenton Brooks is living out a childhood dream, joining the Padres after the team selected his contract from Triple-A El Paso. The 29-year-old outfielder and designated hitter previously played for the San Francisco Giants in 2024, but his recent performance in the minor leagues earned him a coveted spot on the Padres roster.
Brooks, who grew up watching Padres games on Channel 4 with his father, described the opportunity as a "surreal moment." He cited Trevor Hoffman and Chase Headley as players he admired growing up in the San Diego area, further emphasizing the significance of playing for his hometown team.
Dominant Performance in Triple-A El Paso
Brooks' promotion comes on the heels of a stellar season with the El Paso Chihuahuas. In 60 games, he slashed .311/.411/.590 with 14 home runs. His recent performance was particularly impressive, as he hit .419/.493/.806 over his last 17 games, including back-to-back two-homer games. Brooks has a career .271/.364/.447 batting line over 3,148 minor league plate appearances, showcasing his consistent performance.
Role with the Padres
With Jackson Merrill on the concussion list and Jason Heyward out with an oblique injury, Brooks provides the Padres with much-needed depth in the outfield and at designated hitter. He is a left-handed hitter who could be a valuable asset against right-handed pitching. On Monday, he served as the DH, pushing Gavin Sheets to left field and Luis Arraez to first base.
- Padres selected Brooks' contract from Triple-A El Paso.
- Brooks slashed .313/.415/.585 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI over 265 plate appearances in Triple-A.
- He previously played for the Giants in 2024.
- Brooks provides depth due to injuries to Merrill and Heyward.
Brooks' journey to the Padres is a testament to his perseverance and dedication. Padres fans are eager to see how he performs at the major league level and hope he can contribute to the team's success. His story resonates with many aspiring baseball players in San Diego, showing them that anything is possible with hard work and a bit of hometown pride.