May 10, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez (4) celebrates after hitting a walk-off single against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
In an era featuring Statcast metrics that highlight power numbers, Padres star Luis Arraez is a true baseball throwback. The newly acquired Padres second baseman made his home debut this past Friday night one to remember. He delivered a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Arraez was acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins as part of an expected Miami fire sale. The addition of Arraez to the Padres lineup might fly under the radar to the casual fan who emphasizes power numbers and exit velocities, which are often dominated by power hitters like Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton, but Arraez is every bit as valuable to a lineup, if not more so, than the modern day slugger.
