The Padres appeared to have inherited a prime opportunity Friday at Citi Field. Their hosts, the New York Mets, had just been swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who set a franchise record for a three-game series with stolen base after stolen base, 13 in all.

Yet prior to this opener, San Diego manager Andy Green cautioned that it might not be so easy.

“We faced them early in the season right after (Cincinnati speedster) Billy Hamilton played here and stole a whole bunch of bases off of Noah Syndergaard,” Green recalled. “Their antenna was up, and they were paying really close attention to the basepaths. ... They’re probably going to make it tougher for us than usual.”

Even if the D-backs hadn’t run wild on them, the Mets would have ample reason to be vigilant. The Padres entered this matchup with 99 steals, the most in the National League this season and 14 more than the next-closest team (coincidentally, Arizona). They also led the NL in stolen-base percentage (79.2 percent), and the majors in extra bases-taken percentage (51 percent) as well as steals of home (four).


Despite a lineup that has become populated by rookies and other youngsters, an identity has emerged amid the infield dirt.

“I think I stated early on that I wanted the team to be aggressive and opportunistic, and I think one of the ways that’s exploited more than anywhere else is on the basepaths,” Green said. “You look at us on the bases this year, and we’ve found things we can take advantage of and we’ve taken advantage of them.

“That’s the way we want to play the game here. It’s a way we derive at least a measure of competitive advantage over our opponents.”

First base coach Tarrik Brock has been integral in the movement. Green, who took the job in October, was not previously acquainted with the then-minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator. An extensive process resulted in the union of like minds.


“We wanted to set a standard, to be the best in the business,” Brock said. “That was from day one. What it took was a process of getting guys and earning their trust and getting them to take later secondaries, attacking the inside corner of the bag, learning where the infield is positioned and how the outfield is positioned. Just using that, as well as the intel from the scouting reports about arms and stuff like that.”

Said Green: “I was always looking for somebody ... that would like really do what is necessary to make us better than everybody else on the bases. I think we’ve done what we can to be good in that area, and I think Tarrik deserves a lot of credit for it.”

Center fielder Travis Jankowski, known for his plus speed, and first baseman Wil Myers, another standout athlete, have led the way. Through Thursday’s games, Jankowski had recorded 25 steals, including two of home. Myers had one of those himself, and 21 overall.

“It’s awesome that both Tarrik and Andy love being aggressive, but are smart about it at the same time, not running into easy outs,” Jankowski said. “That’s huge for me and my game. I love it.”


In 2015, the Padres finished 17th in the majors with 82 steals and seventh in stolen-base percentage (73.9 percent). Part of their improvement has been personnel-related — Jankowski, for instance, has gone from second-half call-up to season-long big-leaguer — but the club certainly has taken proactive measures.

When Brock was promoted in November, the first player phone call he received was from Myers, “saying that he wanted to steal more bases.

“It’s just good to see where we started from and where we’re at,” Brock said. “Not just running to be running. We’re very smart and wise in that sense of taking the base when you need it. Another base can get you ahead or get you even.”

Inching closer

Padres right-hander Tyson Ross (shoulder inflammation, ankle sprain) threw a 39-pitch bullpen Wednesday and was scheduled for another session this weekend. If that goes well, Ross could progress to throwing live batting practice next week.


A rehab assignment would follow. The Padres are hoping Ross can return in time to make three or four starts in September.