Padres’ Machado Rates as a Long-Term Concern While Tatis’ Power Slump Looks Fixable

Overview

• ESPN writer David Schoenfield argued on June 12 that Machado’s early-2026 struggles make it reasonable to view him as no longer a reliable, elite middle-of-the-order hitter.
• Machado has started 2026 with very low production, hitting roughly .172 with a .579 OPS while showing higher strikeout rates, lower exit velocity and weak on-ground batting average that together suggest deeper problems than a simple cold spell.
• Fernando Tatis Jr. has lost much of his long ball through mid-June but analysts say the drop stems from a much higher ground‑ball rate and a sharp fall in pulled fly‑balls—batted‑ball issues that can be corrected.
• The Padres sit just above .500 (roughly 35-33) with a strong bullpen and an unreliable rotation, and a recent 3–7 run in 10 games has left the club inconsistent.
• San Diego’s ability to contend now depends on how Machado and Tatis respond, with Machado’s $350 million, multi-year contract raising stakes for the franchise and Tatis’ adjustments the likeliest near-term path back to power.