Urias' potential becoming production for Friars

SAN DIEGO -- It was Luis Urías at his very best -- the precise version of the all-fields hitter the Padres envisioned as he climbed through their system.

In the span of 24 hours, the rookie infielder came to the plate in a big spot twice in two games. On Tuesday, he shot a bases-clearing double over Avisail Garcia's head in right field. On Wednesday, he laced a two-run double down the left-field line.

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At long last, Urias has arrived. And he’s making a serious impact.

The Padres snapped a three-game skid on Wednesday afternoon with a 7-2 victory over the Rays at Petco Park. Urias’ two-run double put them ahead in the fourth inning, and he’d later tack on another RBI on a hit-by-pitch.

“When I can shoot the fastballs to right field, and I can react with the breaking ball to left, that's when I'm at my best,” Urias said.

Four weeks ago, the Padres committed to Urias, recalling him from Triple-A El Paso and giving him extended regular playing time for the first time in his young career. Lately, he has thrived with that opportunity. Urias owns a .355/.487/.452 slash line since the start of August.

The sure-handed 22-year-old played shortstop on Wednesday afternoon, moving from his usual spot at second base. Fernando Tatis Jr. is battling back soreness, and he could be slated for a stint on the injured list. Urias filled in admirably, making crisp plays on a couple of ground balls.

“That's ultimately all we ever wanted from him -- great defense, and get on base,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “He's doing that.”

Padres starter Cal Quantrill opened the afternoon with an 11-pitch walk followed by a first-pitch home run from Tommy Pham. But after those first two hitters, Quantrill wouldn’t allow another run over 5 1/3 innings. In fact, Quantrill tied the score himself, swatting an RBI single to right field for his first career hit.

An inning after Urias’ double, Eric Hosmer tacked on a solo shot against Jalen Beeks. It was his 18th homer of the season -- and his first against a left-handed pitcher. The Padres would get more insurance from Urias’ hit by pitch and a Wil Myers RBI single.

But more than anything, Wednesday’s game served as a reminder of how far Urias has come. At the early stages of the Minor Leagues, his approach skewed toward the opposite field. Breaking pitches inside? Urias generally couldn’t do much with them.

But with men on first and third in the fourth, Beeks threw Urias a first-pitch changeup that tailed toward the inner half. Urias turned on it and shot it into the left-field corner at 104 mph.

“He sees the ball well, and he understands what needs to be done with each [pitch],” Green said. “If he gets a hanging breaking ball middle-in, he can turn on it to the pull side. If it's a fastball away, he'll shoot it the other way. ... He does a really nice job of hitting the ball where it's pitched.”

Generally speaking, that has always been Urias’ best skill. He uses the entire field, and his knowledge of the strike zone always led to a high on-base percentage in the Minors. It took a while. But that skill set is finally on display in the big leagues.

Urias earned his callup late last season, but it was short-lived. After just 12 games, he was sidelined by a hamstring injury. It lingered well into the offseason. Then, he struggled in camp and was a surprise omission from the Opening Day roster.

Urias earned a brief callup in April, but he slumped then, too, playing somewhat sporadically.

“This game is tough,” he said. “I feel like when you're not playing, it's even harder. But I'm very grateful for the opportunity I'm having right now.”

Of course, Urias isn’t the only young player to capitalize on increased playing time. He and catcher Francisco Mejía have arguably been the Padres’ two best players since the start of August. On Wednesday, Mejia went 2-for-3 with a walk, bringing his second-half batting average to .364.

In Mejia, Urias and Tatis, San Diego has standout rookies at three key defensive positions. They’re 23, 22 and 20 years old, respectively. Up the middle, the Padres could be in good shape for a very long time.