SAN DIEGO -- Seventeen games after joining the Padres and Luis Sardinas is looking more like the elite shortstop prospect he was billed as after signing with the Rangers than the glove-only defensive player he became this season with the Mariners.
After a 2-for-3 game during the Padres' 4-1 loss to the Rockies Friday night, the 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder is hitting .286 (14-for-49) with four doubles and a homer during his first 17 games with San Diego. Those numbers come in stark contrast to the .181/.203/.264 triple slash he posted through 32 games with Seattle.