Jake Cronenworth DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said he doesn't foresee second baseman Jake Cronenworth playing first base this year. "I don't see it on the radar at the moment," Shildt said. Cronenworth enters the 2025 season with eligibility at both second and first base after splitting time at the two positions in 2024. Losing Ha-Seong Kim in free agency means that Xander Bogaerts will be at shortstop full time and Cronenworth will be at the keystone full time. At first base, Luis Arraez is expected to handle most of the playing time. The 31-year-old left-handed-hitting Cronenworth batted .241/.324/.390 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI, five steals and 72 runs in 653 plate appearances last year. He makes plenty of contact but only has middling power. Given the fact that he rarely runs, Cronenworth settles in as useful middle infield depth to target late in fantasy drafts.

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate in Friday's 9-5 win over the Brewers. His day included three singles, a double, and the 12th home run of the season for the 30-year-old. He also collected a pair of RBI and scored four times. Cronenworth had been scuffling coming into the series with Milwaukee, going 2-for-24 (.083) over the seven games prior to this series, but has now homered in back-to-back games and recorded seven hits in 10 at-bats. The former seventh-round draft pick is having a bounce-back season after hitting just .229 with a .301 wOBA and 92 wRC+ last year. His BA currently stands at .266 with a .345 wOBA and 129 wRC+.

San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth went 2-for-5 with two runs and a home run in Thursday's victory versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Cronenworth's biggest hit of the night was the biggest of the game, as he hit a 401-foot home run off Joel Payamps to the bleachers to win the contest. The versatile infielder has spent most of his time at second base this season and has recovered well after a disappointing 2023 campaign. He has now topped his home run total from last season and is hitting .254 with 11 homers and 47 RBI and should be rostered in most formats.