Padres Rely on Jake Cronenworth as Key Backup Shortstop

Versatile infielder expected to provide essential depth behind starter Xander Bogaerts.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 4:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego Padres have decided to retain infielder Jake Cronenworth, recognizing his adaptability and hitting ability as critical assets. Cronenworth is expected to serve as the team's key backup shortstop in 2026, providing essential depth behind starter Xander Bogaerts.

Why it matters

With limited proven alternatives and uncertainties surrounding younger players, Jake Cronenworth stands as the most dependable internal solution for the Padres' backup shortstop role. This assurance could prove vital for San Diego's infield stability and in-game adaptability throughout the 2026 campaign.

The details

Manager Craig Stammen highlighted Cronenworth's role in shortstop depth, affirming that he is one of the options. The Padres experimented with Cronenworth at shortstop last season, with promising results. Besides Cronenworth, Stammen mentioned Sung-mun Song and Mason McCoy as candidates who could step in for Bogaerts if needed, though he stopped short of naming a designated backup. Cronenworth's defensive metrics during his limited time at shortstop were positive, registering 3 Outs Above Average and 1 Defensive Run Saved, suggesting he can handle a larger role if called upon.

  • Cronenworth saw limited action at shortstop between 2023 and 2024 and had just 79 innings there last year.
  • The Padres' plan is for Bogaerts to stay healthy and continue improving defensively after his strong 2025 season.

The players

Jake Cronenworth

A versatile infielder who is expected to serve as the Padres' key backup shortstop in 2026.

Xander Bogaerts

The Padres' starting shortstop, who the team hopes will stay healthy and continue improving defensively.

Craig Stammen

The Padres' manager, who highlighted Cronenworth's role in shortstop depth and mentioned other candidates who could step in for Bogaerts.

Sung-mun Song

A candidate who could step in for Bogaerts if needed, though his defensive reliability across various positions remains uncertain as he adapts from the Korean Baseball Organization to Major League Baseball.

Mason McCoy

A candidate who could step in for Bogaerts if needed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Jake [Cronenworth] is definitely one of them.”

— Craig Stammen, Manager (97.3 The Fan)

“We put him over there last season — I don't know what the decision-making was, I wasn't part of that — but then he came over and made some great plays [at shortstop] in Colorado, if I remember right. And then we were kinda like, 'Alright, Jake can play shortstop.'”

— Craig Stammen, Manager (97.3 The Fan)

The takeaway

With limited proven alternatives and uncertainties surrounding younger players, Jake Cronenworth's established experience and positive defensive metrics at shortstop make him the leading internal option to provide essential depth and flexibility for the Padres' infield in the 2026 season.