Tony Gwynn would have enjoyed watching Franmil Reyes.
The late former Padres great, whose birthday came this week, appreciated hitters who hammered pitches to the opposite field.
Gwynn would’ve loved seeing Reyes wait on a change-up and drive it for a opposite-field home run, as the big righty did in a game this season.
It was one of Reyes’ five homers to the right of center field. He also has five homers to the left of center. His all-fields power has made it harder for pitchers to manipulate him.
Like most of the hitters today, Reyes strikes out at a rate Gwynn would struggle to stomach, but his coordinated “inside out” swing and studious approach are allowing him to earn playing time despite the 23-year-old’s below-average defense in right field.