Trenton Brooks Makes Hometown Debut with Padres as Designated Hitter

LOS ANGELES — Trenton Brooks, a local favorite, made his debut as the designated hitter for the San Diego Padres on Monday. The 29-year-old was called up just days after his successful run at Triple-A El Paso, where he hit 14 homers and posted an impressive .311 batting average over 60 games.

Brooks, who grew up in the San Diego area, shared, “I used to watch Channel 4 with my dad every night watching the Padres play. This is a surreal moment.” He has been on fire recently, batting .419/.493/.806 in his last 17 games.

His performance in El Paso, including back-to-back two-homer games, caught the attention of Padres management, leading to his call-up. Brooks noted that his success is thanks to the guidance of his hitting coaches, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong approach at the plate.

With Brooks in the lineup, Gavin Sheets shifted to left field, while Luis Arraez moved to first base. This strategic choice aimed to enhance the team’s offensive power against right-handed pitching, given the recent injury to Jackson Merrill.

Padres manager Mike Shildt commented on the roster’s flexibility, stating, “We’ll be able to use the versatility of the roster. We got Bryce who can go, we got Lock that can come off (the bench).”

Notably absent from the bench was Luis Campusano, who was optioned back to El Paso after struggling in the majors. Campusano, once viewed as the team’s future catcher, had a .313 batting average with 10 homers in Triple-A but struggled at the major league level.

The Padres, despite their catching struggles ranking near the bottom in league stats, continue to lead the league in shutouts, showcasing the strength of their pitching staff. Brooks’s debut is seen as a potential turning point for the team as they navigate this season.