PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seven members of Padres camp are off to the World Baseball Classic.
Which -- in the eyes of new manager Craig Stammen -- means that opportunity abounds for the players who remain.
“We’re going to move people around to different positions and try new things,” Stammen said. “We’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity with different players and see how versatile they really are. Maybe we find something out this Spring Training while these guys are gone.”
With the WBC slated to get underway this week, here are five players who can capitalize on their opportunity back in Padres camp.
1. Sung-Mun Song
When Stammen talks about trying new things and testing the versatility of his players, he might as well be talking about Song directly. The Padres signed Song, envisioning him as a versatile roster piece -- and, in some ways, he already is. Song is capable of playing third, second and first base.
But in the coming days, the Padres will test Song at shortstop and in the corners of the outfield. He says he hasn’t played short since middle school. He’s never played the outfield. But there’s no better time to test it out than with Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. off at the WBC.
The Padres love Song’s glove, and if it plays at those new spots, it will give Stammen some serious maneuverability with his roster.
“It’s going to be different playing in the outfield or at shortstop,” Song said Friday through interpreter Jun Yi. “But if the team needs me to play it, then I have to prepare for it.”
2. Bradgley Rodriguez
The Padres’ bullpen is almost too deep this spring. So, in a way, it’s beneficial that they’ll be sending a quartet of relievers to the World Baseball Classic. That should free up innings for the rest of the group.
The Padres’ evaluations of Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob will continue once they join Team Italy. Both are in contention for roster spots, and their performance at the World Baseball Classic will be a factor.
Meanwhile, their absence -- plus the absences of Mason Miller and Wandy Peralta (both bullpen locks) -- will free up innings for the likes of Rodriguez, who has looked very sharp across three appearances this spring.
Rodriguez, who finished 2025 as MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 ranked Padres prospect, only made seven appearances with the big league club last season. But he impressed enough to make the postseason roster. Rodriguez blends big-time velocity with an ability to limit hard contact. His upside is as high as any pitcher currently in the bullpen competition.
3. Nick Solak
Solak posted a .332/.411/.492 slash line with Triple-A Indianapolis last season in the Pirates’ system. (As a reminder for Padres fans accustomed to gaudy Triple-A numbers, Solak played in the Independent League, which is markedly less hitter-friendly than the Pacific Coast League.)
As a non-roster invitee, Solak’s path to an Opening Day roster spot is narrow. It might require injury concerns elsewhere. But with Bogaerts, Tatis and Manny Machado out of the mix for a while, Solak should get plenty of at-bats. He can play second base, first base, both outfield corners and has even manned center in the past.
“I’ve got all the gloves,” said Solak, who is off to a strong start, hitting .385 with three doubles and a homer this spring. “At this point, whatever’s needed, wherever they need me to play, I’ve got the glove ready.”
4. Samad Taylor
Bryce Johnson is the favorite to open the season as the Padres’ backup in center field. But with the handful of WBC absences, Taylor might at least get a more extensive look than he otherwise would have.
He’s off to a nice start, tied for the team lead with six hits, plus a pair of walks in 14 plate appearances and a pair of steals. Taylor can play second and third as well as all three outfield spots, and that level of versatility can only help his cause.
5. Jackson Merrill
OK, Merrill is a little out of place on a list like this one. He’s already a star. But Stammen was quick to note that with a number of the clubhouse’s traditional leaders headed elsewhere this spring, he was eager to see some younger Padres fill that leadership void. He explicitly mentioned the 22-year-old Merrill.
Sure enough, in the Padres’ first game after the departures of Tatis and Machado, Merrill launched his first home run of the spring on Saturday afternoon, a towering drive to the opposite field at Peoria Stadium. He leads the team with a 1.375 OPS.