World Series Appearance by Rays Reliever
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Cole Sulser advanced to the 2026 World Series, pitching out of the bullpen in Games 1 and 3. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Sulser allowed one run across 1 ⅔ total innings during those appearances.
Notable Performances on MLB Rosters
Sixty-nine players, managers, and coaches with San Diego ties were on rosters for Major League Baseball, the Japanese League, the Korean Baseball Organization, or the Mexican League during the 2026 season. Of those, 44 men with San Diego connections appeared on MLB rosters.
San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France played in 133 games, hitting .293 with a career-high 21 home runs and 72 RBIs. His offensive output stood out among the local contingent, providing consistent production at the plate throughout the season.
Pitching Contributions Across the League
Several San Diego-born or -raised pitchers made significant impacts on their respective teams' bullpens and rotations. Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Kevin Ginkel pitched in a career-high 74 games with a 6-4 record, 4.12 ERA, and three saves.
Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Calvin Faucher also contributed significantly, pitching in 69 games with a 5-5 record, 3.56 ERA, and three saves. New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Tim Hill pitched in 67 games with a 5-2 record, 4.60 ERA, and two saves.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt pitched in 44 games with a 4-1 record, 4.14 ERA, and one save. Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Grant Holman pitched in one game after being claimed off waivers from the Tigers.
Hitting Highlights and Rookie Debut
Offensive performances varied widely among the local players. Houston Astros infielder Nick Allen played in 94 games, hitting .283 with three home runs and 14 RBIs. Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder Cole Carrigg made his MLB debut on June 9, playing in 93 games with a .279 average, 12 home runs, and 53 RBIs.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder Tommy Edman played in 84 games, hitting .247 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs. Minnesota Twins catcher/first baseman Alex Jackson played in 33 games, hitting .304 with one home run and five RBIs.
New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones played in 86 games, hitting .245 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs. Atlanta Braves infielder Jim Jarvis made his MLB debut on May 6, playing in 38 games as a rookie with a .207 average, one home run, and 11 RBIs.
Injuries and Late-Season Call-Ups
Not all local players had successful seasons due to injury or limited opportunities. Colorado Rockies outfielder/infielder Kris Bryant spent the entire season on the 60-day injured list due to lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Other players saw limited action or debuted late in the year. Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Connor Joe played in 21 games, hitting .179 with one home run and three RBIs. Atlanta Braves infielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. played in five games after a late-season call-up, hitting .200.
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp played in 13 games with an .80 average. St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Brycen Mautz made his MLB debut on Sept. 2, pitching in eight games as a rookie with a 0-1 record and 5.87 ERA.
San Francisco Giants infielder Marcelo Mayer played in 70 games for the Red Sox before being traded to the Giants, finishing the season with a .209 average, three home runs, and 22 RBIs. Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Joe Hendrickson pitched in two games, covering 2 2/3 innings.