He's a hand-eye specialist whose 203 hits and MLB-best .354 batting average last year helped the talent-thin Marlins edge the underachieving 2023 Padres for a wild card, despite Miami spending $150 million less on its payroll.

Arraez won't hit many homers. But he could swat a ping pong ball in a hail storm.

In an era of increased pitch velocity and nastier breaking balls, he's a .360 career hitter with runners in scoring position.

Just 10 months ago, the Venezuelan took a .383 batting average into his second All-Star Game before banging hits off the only two pitches he saw.

Comparisons will be made to Tony Gwynn. That's understandable but not very fair to Arraez. Gwynn hit the ball much harder, roasted both lefties and righties, hit for more power, ran the bases better and defended much better.

Let Arraez be Arraez. Let him serve as a mentor, in time, to fellow Venezuelan Ethan Salas, one of the Padres' top prospects.

What about the rest of Arraez's game and his fit with this Padres team?

"He's not a good defender," a second scout said. "Where are they going to play him?"

He can serve as the Padres' DH. In the field, second base is his best spot. He can platoon with Xander Bogaerts. Also, he's played every other infield spot and in the outfield as well. A perk: as a pinch-hitter, he has batted .290 with five walks in 36 tries.

Arraez means manager Mike Shildt can better ensure that 31-year-old infielders Bogaerts and Manny Machado don't wear down.

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