The San Diego Padres have their backs against the wall.
Trailing two games to none in the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres need to win three consecutive games to keep their season alive.
One player who can help keep San Diego’s World Series hopes afloat is outfielder Dustin Harris.
Harris, an 11th-round draft pick in 2019, has emerged as a potential long-term piece of the Padres outfield core.
He played in just 21 games across his first two Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers and began the 2026 season with the Chicago White Sox.
After just six games with the White Sox and 11 games with the Houston Astros, Harris was designated for assignment by both clubs.
The 27-year-old rookie may have found a permanent home with the Padres.
“The Padres used nine different starting left fielders in 2026, ultimately settling into a productive platoon of Samad Taylor and Harris,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote. “After spending time with the White Sox and Astros earlier in the season, Harris hit .322/.364/.422 for a 120 OPS+ in 100 plate appearances after coming to San Diego.”
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Harris had two hits and drew a walk in Game 1 of the NLDS, playing in the postseason for the first time in the Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs.
After his impressive breakthrough in the regular season, the Padres are likely to keep him in the organization and have him battle for the starting left field job at spring training.
Harris is under club control through the 2031 season. This may be an impressive minor league signing by the Padres.
