Lincoln Zdunich
The San Diego Padres are reportedly calling up Sung-Mun Song for tonight’s game against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, per Devine Sports Gospel. Song previously had his MLB debut during the Mexico City series last week against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He only pinch-ran and did not have an at-bat in the game.
Song was the Friars’ biggest offensive splash this offseason, signed to a four-year, $15 million deal out of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). After an oblique injury sidelined his ramp-up, he was kept in Triple-A in order to get used to facing MLB pitching.
He’s fared relatively well in Triple-A. Song put together a .293/.364/.354 slash line with a respectable (albeit slightly low) .718 OPS. But the underlying numbers aren’t nearly as kind to Song. He hasn’t made a lot of hard contact on his hits, being limited to singles. He only has four extra-base hits out of 29 through 25 games played in El Paso.
Roster Moves Still Required
The call up would require the Padres to either send someone down or move them to the IL. It’s speculated that that move may come in the form of starting second baseman Jake Cronenworth. He’s off to a dismal start to the year, batting .144/.272/.468. It’s basically assured the Padres of an out each time he comes to the plate. His glove has been solid, but not good enough to keep his ice-cold bat in the lineup. He was hit by a pitch last night and could be sent on an IL stint in order to make room for Song.
Song was initially signed to be a utility option for the Friars, able to play any position defensively (save for catcher). It’s likely that that will be seen on full display should he be called up for the long haul. That being said, for now, it seems more probable that he becomes the starting second baseman.
Whatever the case, Song probably isn’t going to magically rake at the big-league level after not doing incredible in Triple-A. But that’s not why he’s reportedly being called up. The fact of the matter is that San Diego will do anything they can to get out of the slump they’re in. Song just might provide something new that jolts these Padres back into action.
