Nick Ahmed has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres, his fourth National League West franchise in two years. The former Dodgers shortstop was dismissed by the Arizona Diamondbacks last season following a long tenure with the franchise, which included 888 games from 2014 to 2023.
Ahmed played briefly for the San Francisco Giants this season before joining the Padres. He struggled at the plate, having a.232 batting average with one home run in 172 plate appearances before being let go in July. When Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts went down with injuries, the Dodgers called him up, and Ahmed had an immediate impact, blasting a home run in his debut against the Giants. However, he was designated for assignment after starting 14 games and batting.229 in 49 plate appearances.
Ahmed’s.232 batting average across 221 plate appearances this season is the result of his efforts with the Giants and Dodgers combined. Known mostly for his defensive abilities, he won two Gold Glove honors while with the Diamondbacks. Ahmed will provide depth at shortstop for the Padres, particularly because Ha-Seong Kim is now on the injured list due to shoulder difficulties. The Padres have been employing Tyler Wade and Mason McCoy in Kim’s absence, and Ahmed’s deal gives the team more alternatives.
Importantly, Ahmed is allowed to play in the postseason for San Diego because he signed before the September 1 deadline. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2011 and later moved to Arizona, where he became the franchise’s first player to stay ten seasons. His finest offensive season was in 2019, when he hit 19 home runs and drove in 82 runs.
