Margot emerging as all-around star
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PHOENIX -- One of the sparkling gems of the Padres' season has been the emergence of Manuel Margot as a projected top flight defensive center fielder and catalyst at the top of the order.
Margot went 2-for-5 and scored the tying run in the Padres' 8-7 comeback win over the D-backs on Saturday night.
Margot was one of the main reasons the Padres ended the D-backs' 13-game winning streak with a 10-6 victory on Friday night. The 22-year-old right-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic drove in four runs with a two-run single, a two-run triple and a double.
His two-out single in the seventh inning on an 0-2 count off reliever J.J. Hoover sapped Arizona's momentum and gave the Padres the runs they needed to insure the victory.
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Margot, in his first full season, is slashing at .270/.317/.428 with 13 homers, 38 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, heading into Saturday's rematch at Chase Field.
"He said his goal is to become one of the best center fielders in the game, if not the best center fielder in baseball," Padres manager Andy Green said. "I think he has that potential. He's got all of the talent in the world. He's got the drive. Now it's just a matter of putting the two together and working hard every single day to get there."
Margot was obtained from the Red Sox in a five-player deal that also included second baseman Carlos Asuaje when the Padres flipped closer Craig Kimbrel to Boston on Nov. 13, 2015.
Margot has shown this season that he has a lot of upside.
"The power is going to play," Green added to his evaluation. "He's going to steal bases better than he's stolen them this year. He's going to defend the field better and better as he gets older. He's young. There's a lot in there and there's a lot to like. We're very excited about his future."
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In this, 64-78 rebuilding year, the Padres have played hard.
"It's definitely exciting watching him play," Green said. "I'd put [infielder/outfielder] Jose Pirela in that category. I'd put Carlos Asuaje in that category. I'd put [right-hander] Dinelson Lamet in that category. A number of things have happened very positively for us and Manny's definitely one of them."