Manny Machado Rips MLB Analytics Amid Padres’ Brutal Slump
The San Diego Padres are in the middle of one of their worst stretches of the season, and star third baseman Manny Machado believes modern baseball may be part of the problem.
As the Padres attempt to snap a six-game losing streak, Machado voiced frustration with the growing influence of analytics across Major League Baseball, arguing that the game has become too obsessed with numbers.
Manny Machado Sounds Off on MLB Analytics
Speaking to reporters before Friday’s matchup against the New York Mets, Machado criticized the overwhelming amount of advanced metrics now surrounding the sport.
“That’s the problem with baseball right now,” Machado said while discussing analytics and the endless stream of statistics available to players, coaches, and fans.
Machado’s comments come at a difficult time for the Padres, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games and fallen eight games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West standings. The frustration is understandable given how poorly San Diego’s offense has performed during the slump.
Padres Offense Has Completely Fallen Apart
Right now, there are not many statistics, traditional or advanced, painting the Padres in a positive light.
San Diego currently ranks last in Major League Baseball in runs scored while also sitting near the bottom of the league in key offensive categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
The Padres’ offense has struggled to generate consistent production all season, and the recent losing streak has only magnified those issues. Unfortunately for Machado, he has also been caught in the middle of the slump.
Manny Machado Is Struggling at the Plate
Machado’s numbers during this stretch have been surprisingly rough for one of baseball’s most accomplished hitters.
Entering Saturday’s action, Machado owned a .175 batting average, the lowest mark among qualified National League hitters. His .262 on-base percentage also ranked near the bottom of the league.
For a player who has consistently been one of baseball’s most productive stars throughout his career, those struggles have become impossible to ignore. That’s part of what makes Machado’s comments about analytics especially interesting.
Manny Machado Was Once One of Baseball’s Biggest Analytics Success Stories
Ironically, advanced metrics helped highlight just how valuable Machado was for much of his career. Between 2013 and 2022, Machado ranked among the top players in baseball in wins above replacement, largely because analytics showcased the elite defensive value he provided at third base.
During that stretch, advanced defensive numbers credited Machado with being one of MLB’s best defenders, trailing only players like Andrelton Simmons and Nolan Arenado in several categories.
While traditional stats already showed Machado was a star hitter, analytics helped elevate his overall value by measuring the impact of his defense and complete all-around game. That’s why his recent criticism of advanced metrics stands out.
Machado’s Bigger Point About Baseball Still Matters
Even if many fans disagree with Machado’s frustration toward analytics, his broader point about baseball being a team game still resonates.
Statistics can explain individual performance, but they do not always capture momentum, chemistry, confidence, or the emotional side of the sport, especially during difficult stretches like the one San Diego is currently experiencing. At the same time, modern analytics are designed to help teams understand exactly why players and offenses are struggling.
Right now, both traditional numbers and advanced metrics tell the same story about the Padres: the offense simply has not been good enough. As San Diego searches for answers, Machado’s comments will likely spark even more debate about how much analytics should shape today’s game.
