… I come to the field and work hard every day in the gym and all those things. And then I will get more opportunities every time. How do you think you’ve gone about doing that?Īzocar: I think it’s doing my things, then getting my opportunity and doing it the way I do it all my life. But you’ve been working your way into the lineup more and more, earning the trust of Bob Melvin and the coaches. Union-Tribune: You were added out of spring training because the Padres needed depth in the outfield. Known for his inquisitive nature and speed on the basepaths, Azocar is called “Sugar” by teammates, a nod to the Spanish translation of the word - “azúcar” - sounding similar to his last name. He spent last year improving his plate discipline while working in Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso. The Venezuela native signed with the Detroit Tigers when he was 16 and in November 2020 elected free agency before signing a minor league contract with the Padres. Rookie outfielder José Azocar initially made the roster out of spring training as a defensive replacement, but has slowly earned more playing time, in part due to his production at the plate as well as a need in right field, where starter Wil Myers has been sidelined much of the season due to injuries.

Sudoku (Oh no! Another one!) free