Machado's power surge leading way for Padres

SAN DIEGO -- After a slow power start, Manny Machado has turned it up. The Padres' 'captain' is getting it done at the dish as the summer rolls in.

'As Manny goes, the team goes'. That's a saying we've heard a lot over the course of Manny Machado's career with the Padres. The star third baseman is widely known for his thunderous bat and defensive prowess at the hot corner. At the end of every season, Machado's line typically has about 30 home runs and 100 RBI, to go along with a batting average near .300. For the most part, you know what you're getting out of him.

As the 2025 season got under way, something seemed oddly off but not concerning. Machado's power numbers weren't eye-popping as usual. The lack of worry didn't stem from it affecting his on-field production, but because he was doing something we hadn't seen him do before. He was hitting for contact. Despite only three homers and 14 RBI through May 3, a .340 batting average had Machado leading all National League hitters through May 14.

The Padres' competitive window without question revolves around the soon to be 33 year-old. A face or arguably the face of the franchise, Machado's on-field abilities were put into question after 2024. Many wondered if he would put out the same production now entering his mid-thirties. To no surprise, 'El Ministro' is defying any doubts about his game.

Per Baseball Savant, Machado ranked in the 44th percentile in LA Sweet-Spot percentage and 82nd percentile in xSLG last season. So far in 2025, Machado has exceeded in those categories. In order, he's increased his rankings into the 83rd and 94th percentiles while maintaining his Avg Exit Velocity in the 91st percentile as well. He's getting on-base at a .380 clip and has drawn 25 walks to go along with his bat. His ground ball rate currently stands at 37.4% while increasing his fly ball percentage to 62.6%, his best tally for both stats since 2022.

Power's back on

Machado using bat-to-ball contact skills is great, but his value shows most when he's using the opposite side of the field and slugging his way around the bases. Since May 23, he's jolting baseball's all over the diamond. He's notched eight extra-base hits which include four homers in the span, while going 19-for-54 at the plate (.352 BA).

The slugger's also been clutch. Serving as a catalyst for a 3-2 Friar victory on Tuesday night over the Giants, he'd tie the ballgame with two outs in the ninth inning off Giants closer Camilo Doval, lining a single into left field which would score Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr.

During Thursday's series finale at Oracle Park, Machado connected on his 350th career home run off former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray. The two-run blast put the right-handed hitter into some elite company, making him one of five active players to reach the feat. 

Machado followed up the very next day by launching home run no. 351 into the left field seats at American Family Field to ice a game in which the Padres beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0. With the towering shot, the third baseman has seven RBIs over his last seven games, the most in any seven game stretch in his career.

For now, the superstar must carry a Padres team who's venturing on a tough stretch against postseason contenders. He's now batting .316 with nine round tripper's and 32 RBI this season. Also, only 28 hits shy of 2,000 for his career. With a lot of comparisons to fellow Dominican and Hall-of-Fame third baseman Adrián Beltré, there's no question Machado is on track for a plaque of his own in Cooperstown one day.