Credit: AP Photo

Jose Miranda once looked like a promising young player, but after a few injury-riddled years, the corner infielder is now with the San Diego Padres on a minor league contract for the coming season. Can he break out with the Padres? 

The San Diego Padres will need players to emerge in 2026 if they wish to achieve their ultimate goal.

Every year, players come out of the woodwork to contribute to a successful season. Whether it is from the minors or via free agency, teams need the whole roster to be productive to enjoy a winning season. For the Padres, the bottom half of the roster needs help. They will need rookies or unheralded veterans to step up and produce.

Former top 100 prospect Jose Miranda is capable of living up to his ability.

Sometimes, a change in scenery advances a player. Hopefully, the Padres can unlock something in the right-handed hitter.

Miranda is 27 and owns a career .719 OPS in a little over 1,000 at-bats. During the 2022 season, he put up a .268/.325/.426 batting line and a .751 OPS in 125 games with the Twins his rookie year. Miranda slugged 15 homers and drove in 66 runs that year. At the age of 24, the Twins were excited for his future.

The following season, Miranda injured his shoulder in the spring. The injury lingered as Miranda played through the pain. He only managed to play half a season between the majors and Triple-A, producing a .566 OPS in the majors and a .686 OPS in Triple-A with the St. Paul Saints. After the season, he had surgery on his shoulder.

In 2024, Miranda put up a .763 OPS in 401 Major League at-bats. He played in 121 games and produced a 1.7 WAR. Miranda’s power dipped to only nine homers in that span, and his walk rate also decreased. The year was productive, but he had yet to reach his real ability with the bat.

Last year, Jose Miranda’s season was marred by injury again.

It started in the spring when Miranda injured his hand while handling a case of water at Target. The case slipped from his hand, and he “felt pain” when attempting to grab it before it fell to the ground. In a truly bizarre incident, Miranda’s hand prevented him from making the Major League roster out of the spring.

The season did not get any better for the corner infielder as he struggled horrendously in Saint Paul, putting up a .569 OPS in 90 games. He only earned 36 Major League at-bats and hit .167 in that span. The Twins allowed him to leave via minor league free agency, and the Padres came calling.

Jose Miranda owns reverse splits. During his Major League career, the right-handed hitter has simply hit better against right-handed pitching. In his 1,000 career at-bats, Miranda owns a .745 OPS against righties and a .657 OPS against southpaws. He has hit more homers per at-bat versus lefties, but all in all, he performs better against right-handed pitchers.

His outline numbers scream a player capable of everyday service time. While in Minnesota, he put up stretches where he looked locked in and a formidable force in the batter’s box. Can the Padres find consistency with this young hitter? Will he contribute in 2026?

Take a look at Miranda and what he is capable of doing with the bat.

There is no doubt he is capable.

The Padres will need him to emerge this spring. He is signed to a minor league deal, so he will not need to make the club out of the spring. Perhaps some dominance in El Paso will further his development in time for a Padres playoff push late in the season.

For San Diego to enjoy true success and hoist a World Series title, the Padres will need to fill the bottom half of the roster with players like this. Men who are motivated and determined to make a mark in the league. Players who will give it all each and every day. Jose Miranda is running out of time to be a Major Leaguer. The door is open for him. Can he capitalize on the opportunity? Only time will tell.

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.

Continue Reading