In a Data-Driven Era, the Padres Are Embracing Old-School Tactics to Make a World Series Run

The San Diego Padres are making waves in the 2025 baseball season by embracing a nostalgic approach to the game—bringing back the bunt in a time when data-driven strategies have largely rendered it obsolete. Once known as “Slam Diego” for their power-hitting prowess, the team has now rebranded as “Sac Diego,” reflecting their newfound reliance on small-ball tactics. This shift has seen the Padres lead the majors in sacrifice bunts, a strategy that defies the modern game’s emphasis on maximizing run production through aggressive swings.

With the universal designated hitter rule in place since 2022, bunting had nearly disappeared from the sport, as analytics suggested it was inefficient compared to swinging for the fences. However, the Padres have bucked the trend, with players like catcher Freddy Fermin leading the charge in sacrifice bunts. Fermin, who joined the team on July 31, has already recorded six sacrifice bunts in just seven weeks, the most in Major League Baseball during that span. His teammate, Luis Arráez, is second in the league in this category.

Manager Mike Shildt has emphasized the importance of productive outs in close games, a philosophy that has helped the Padres thrive in one-run contests. The team has gone 28-22 in games decided by a single run, a testament to their ability to execute under pressure. Shildt has stated, “A lot of times, the team that makes the most productive outs has the best chance to win the game.”

Despite their success, the Padres face a challenge: their power-hitting hasn’t lived up to expectations this season. Ranking 29th in home runs, they’ve had to rely on their elite bullpen and strategic offensive plays to secure wins. With a top-tier relief corps, the Padres have been able to close out games effectively, often securing leads late in the game.

As they aim for their first World Series title, the question remains whether their unorthodox approach will be enough to overcome the power-hitting dominance of past champions. The past five World Series winners have ranked in the top four in MLB in home runs, a statistic that doesn’t align with the Padres’ current profile. However, the team has embraced its identity as a small-ball, high-efficiency offense, one sacrifice bunt at a time.

The Padres’ strategy has also sparked a broader conversation about the evolution of the game. While the Savannah Bananas, a popular independent league team known for its flamboyant style, have banned bunting entirely, the Padres’ success has reignited interest in the tactic. As the season progresses, the world will be watching to see if this revival of baseball’s past can lead to a modern-day championship.

The Padres’ approach has also been supported by their front office, with General Manager A.J. Preller emphasizing that there are “a lot of different ways to score runs.” This philosophy has allowed players like catcher Elias Díaz, who had only one sacrifice bunt in his previous decade in MLB, to adapt and thrive in San Diego. In fact, Díaz has already recorded five successful sacrifice bunts this season, contributing to the team’s offensive identity.

With their blend of power, speed, and strategic execution, the Padres are proving that baseball is not a one-size-fits-all sport. Whether through the bunt or the bomb, they are determined to find a way to win—and perhaps, finally, win it all.