Ty France's return to the San Diego Padres worked out about as well as either side could have hoped, according to an analysis from MLB Trade Rumors.
The first baseman came back after a rough 2024-25 stretch. He played for four teams and produced at replacement level, then had to take a minor league contract last February. France is a California native and a former San Diego State standout. The Padres originally picked him in the 34th round of the 2015 draft, and he made his major league debut with the club four years later before leaving the organization. His return came six years after San Diego shipped him out.
France had no guarantees going into spring training. He earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and hit too well to lose it. In 133 games and 500 plate appearances, the right-handed hitter batted .295/.363/.502 with a career-high 21 home runs. His 141 wRC+ ranked 10th among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances.
He was also steady. MLB Trade Rumors noted that San Diego's offense took a while to get going, but France was a consistent force. He led the team in wRC+, and his OPS never fell below .804 in any month. The outlet described his presence as a key part of the Padres' playoff campaign.
France's postseason numbers were quieter. He went 7-for-22 without a home run over six playoff games, good for a .764 OPS. MLB Trade Rumors argued that his line would have looked much better if a tough-luck play in Game 1 of the NLDS had gone the other way. That moment came with one out in the top of the ninth inning and the Padres trailing the Milwaukee Brewers 3-2.