The San Diego Padres have signed outfielder Oscar González to a minor league contract, adding him to their Triple-A El Paso roster for now, with an invitation to major league spring training likely on the horizon. This move gives González, 27, another opportunity to prove himself after a rollercoaster few years in professional baseball.
A Promising Start in Cleveland
González first grabbed attention during his MLB debut season with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022. Despite his limited experience, he smashed 11 home runs across 91 games, showing a blend of power and contact ability. His .296/.327/.461 slash line and 123 wRC+ hinted at strong offensive potential, even though his plate discipline lagged with a 3.9% walk rate, less than half the league average. However, his manageable 19.6% strikeout rate kept his production afloat.
Beyond his numbers, González became a fan favorite in Cleveland, thanks to his quirky walk-up song—the SpongeBob SquarePants theme—and clutch postseason heroics. His walk-off home run in the 15th inning of the Wild Card series against the Tampa Bay Rays cemented his place in Guardians lore.
Struggles in 2023
However, González couldn’t replicate his rookie success in 2023. His strikeout rate ballooned to 25.6%, while his walk rate shrank further to 2.8%. Coupled with a drastic decline in power—just two home runs in 54 games—his offensive production fell to an abysmal .214/.239/.312 slash line and a 48 wRC+. As a player without strong defensive skills, González’s lack of offense made him a liability on the field.
After the disappointing season, the Guardians placed him on waivers, where he was claimed by the Yankees. However, the Bronx Bombers ultimately passed him through waivers again prior to the 2024 season, signaling a lack of confidence in his ability to contribute at the major league level.
Rebuilding in Triple-A
González spent the 2024 season in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees’ affiliate. He showed glimpses of his earlier form, hitting .294/.333/.469 with eight home runs over 78 games, good for a 106 wRC+. His strikeout and walk rates—20.3% and 4.9%, respectively—resembled his promising 2022 campaign, but injuries limited his availability throughout the season.
Despite his rebound, González couldn’t break into the Yankees’ loaded outfield, which featured stars like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and highly touted prospect Jasson Domínguez. At the end of the season, González elected free agency, seeking a fresh start.
Opportunity in San Diego
Now with the Padres, González joins a team facing uncertainty in the outfield. With the departures of Jurickson Profar and David Peralta to free agency, San Diego currently has Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. as their primary outfielders, leaving left field wide open. The remaining options—Tirso Ornelas, Eguy Rosario, and Brandon Lockridge—are relatively inexperienced, with fewer than 50 MLB games under their belts collectively.
The Padres could still pursue Profar in free agency, given their past relationship, but his strong 2024 season might price him out of San Diego’s range. Financial constraints have loomed over the organization in recent years, making González an attractive, low-cost option with upside.
What González Brings
González has yet to accrue enough MLB service time to reach arbitration, making him an inexpensive addition if he earns a roster spot. Moreover, his remaining minor league options provide the Padres with flexibility to shuffle him between Triple-A and the majors as needed.
For González, this deal represents a pivotal moment in his career. If he can rediscover his 2022 form and capitalize on the opportunity in San Diego, he could become a valuable depth piece—or even a starter—in the Padres’ outfield.
As spring training approaches, González’s performance will determine whether he can turn this minor league deal into a major league comeback.
