'That Cronenworth guy' looks like a steal

SAN DIEGO – At the time, it was just “the Tommy Pham trade,” and probably for good reason. Given Pham's track record and his skill set, he was the middle-of-the-order difference-maker the Padres needed. Infielder Jake Cronenworth felt like a throw-in.

But with Pham slated to hit free agency after the 2021 season, here's a legitimate question to ponder: Which of those two will bring more value to the Padres over the course of his current contract?

Right now, seems like Cronenworth.

The do-everything rookie has burst onto the scene this week, playing first base in Eric Hosmer's absence. He entered Wednesday 6-for-18 with four extra-base hits (and has hit for the cycle across his five starts).

Perhaps more impressively, he's dazzled at first base -- despite the fact that he hadn't played there with any regularity since college. Cronenworth has been so good defensively against the Dodgers this week that when AJ Pollock was asked about his go-ahead double Tuesday night, he remarked that he was "just trying not to hit it to that Cronenworth guy."

Entering the season, "that Cronenworth guy" is probably how most Padres fans would've described the infield piece they landed in December. He was the least notable name in the deal that netted Pham and sent Hunter Renfroe and fellow infield prospect Xavier Edwards to Tampa Bay.

"I didn't see it like that,” Cronenworth said. “I just saw it as a new opportunity to get a chance to play with a big league team, get around a group of guys like this and a coaching staff that's super invested in its players. It was an awesome opportunity."

Cronenworth has suddenly emerged as a legitimate option to become the team's long-term second baseman. Even if he doesn't claim that job (which the club believes might one day belong to prospect CJ Abrams), the Padres have a lefty bench bat with an excellent glove at four infield positions. Plus, Cronenworth is a rookie, meaning he's under their control through at least 2025.

If he continues to perform, Cronenworth will start at second base against right-handed pitching once Hosmer returns. For now, he'll stick at first base. Manager Jayce Tingler has praised Cronenworth multiple times for having "a shortstop's range at first."

"People make first base sound a little easier than it actually is," Cronenworth said. "You have a lot of responsibilities. It's just keeping it simple. What helped me a lot was playing shortstop the last four years, taking that mentality over to first base."

First base isn't exactly a new position, even though he only played one Minor League game there. Cronenworth played first during his sophomore and junior seasons at Michigan following shoulder surgery -- an effort not to tax his arm, because he was also pitching. (The Rays used Cronenworth as a pitcher at Triple-A last season, but the Padres have shelved that idea for now.)

Nonetheless, Cronenworth's move to first base was so unexpected that his glove was still packed away in a box at his parents' house. Instead, he's been using a glove that originally belonged to Matt Stairs.

Yes, that Matt Stairs. A decade ago, the former Padres first baseman gave the glove to equipment manager Spencer Dallin to break in. But Stairs never used it. Instead, it's become a useful piece of equipment for a number of players since then, including Wil Myers.

Cronenworth said he has been meaning to call his dad and have his glove shipped to San Diego. But now, he might reconsider.

"I don't know," he quipped. "This Matt Stairs glove is working pretty well right now."

Worth noting

• Right-hander Zach Davies is slated to start Friday's series opener against the D-backs after the Padres' first off-day of the season on Thursday. That means the team will skip the No. 4 spot in its rotation which had been occupied by a Joey Lucchesi/Cal Quantrill piggyback.

• Tingler wouldn't commit to using Chris Paddack as his starter on Saturday, though that seems likely, as Paddack would be lined up to face the rival Dodgers next Thursday. Sunday's start is up in the air, however, as the Padres might give Dinelson Lamet an extra day of rest so he can open that series at Dodger Stadium. Lamet held the Dodgers hitless through five innings on Tuesday night.

• The Padres have spent the first two weeks batting Manny Machado immediately ahead of Pham. On Wednesday, those two flip-flopped, with Machado batting fourth and Pham hitting third. It's a move designed to give Machado RBI opportunities. Sensible, given Machado's higher slugging potential and Pham's on-base prowess.

"Just a little flip today, we'll see if we get something going," Tingler said.