SAN DIEGO — It seems a good bet Padres newcomer Luis Arraez will perform close to his track record as a terrific singles hitter against right-handed pitching.

He's been spraying hits for five-plus seasons. A scout called him a "pain-in-the-butt hitter" Friday after the Padres got the career .324 batter in a trade with the Marlins.

Yes, Arraez's hard-hit rate at the season's quarter mark sits a tad below his career norms. But, he's always been more of a hit-'em-where-they-ain't stylist.

True, he's leaving behind a home ballpark that's more favorable to his spray-hitting than even Petco Park.

So, dock him a few points in the months ahead.

But those aren't red flags — especially if the Padres, as I expect, don't overexpose him to left-handed pitching.

He's a .299 hitter this year and someone who's reached base at nearly 38% of his career chances.

Away from Miami's vast carpeted field that's ideal for him — evidenced by his .347 batting average there — he's still pesky, batting .313 and reaching base at a .368 clip.

So, here's what the Padres likely got in Arraez, the two-time All-Star, twice-traded lefty hitter.

Someone whose knack for whacking singles and doubles will make the Padres more fun to watch, more versatile offensively and more adept against right-handed pitching.

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