After 13 years of being unworthy of much merit whatsoever, the San Diego Padres not only made the playoffs, but won a playoff series and squared off against a very tough Dodgers team without seeming too beatable. And yes, while the Padres lost, they certainly didn't mark this season as a failure- this team came from a scattered, well-intentioned club last year to absolutely annihilating western pitching this year. It was genuinely fun to watch.
I already did a Jake Cronenworth custom this year, but I prepared this one for a Rookie of the Year win that never happened, so it goes here.
Eric Hosmer, after a disappointing first two seasons in San Diego, finally began to circle back towards his Royals numbers. This year he hit .287 with 18 RBIs and 9 home runs, and a .9 WAR that came close to the production of the core of the team. He and the rest of the infield seemed to be on the same page for most of the season, and he also had 4 postseason RBIs.
2021 Prediction: A more traditional return to form year...halted by an injury.
Looking from the rotation from a keen edge, it seems as though Zach Davies had the most productive season for his 12 games. The Brewers mainstay did insanely well in his first season in San Diego, with a 7-4 record, a 2.73 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and...unfortunately, two less-than-stellar postseason starts.
2021 Prediction: More of the same. Davies continues to be the best 'bang for your buck' pitcher there is, and will probably rack up 10 wins before most of the league has even mustered 5.
The new piece of the infield this year, complementing Machado, Tatis and Hosmer, was Jurickson Profar, after an alright season in Oakland. Profar improved vastly from his low-WAR year in 2019, raising his to 1.1 for the season, and hitting .278 with 50 hits and 28 RBIs. Plus, after the inevitable come-up of Jake Cronenworth, Profar shifted to the outfield easily.
2021 Prediction: Another yearlong pickup, but this one has a trade deadline deal involved.
Tommy Pham had his first human year in 2020, and it's a shame it came at the expense of the Padres, who gave up Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe for him. Pham's season was hindered by injuries, and while he was healthy he only hit .211 with 12 RBIs. Not a great look.
2021 Prediction: An upswing, but not enough of one to return to his Rays-era dominance.
Drew Pomeranz returned to the city where he gained recognition and an ASG gig, and continued his use as a bullpen option. Before Trevor Rosenthal made it to town, Drew Pomeranz was actually the closing option, and he did get 4 saves before being shifted back to regular relief. Pomeranz' season was pretty excellent, with a 1.45 ERA and 29 Ks.
2021 Prediction: Several steps down from his 2020, but he'll stay with the Padres.
Matt Strahm has also mellowed into a relief role with the Padres, and did his best work in relief this year, with a 2.61 ERA in 20 innings.
2021 Prediction: A larger middle relief role, verging on a closing role. Strahm has some talent, and it's about time the Padres used more of it.
Pierce Johnson spent 2019 in Japan, playing for the Hanshin Tigers, and seemed to master his control as a reliever. So, he asked the MLB clubs if they wanted him back, the Padres said yes, and pretty soon Johnson was one of their more interesting relief weapons [as predicted by me back in February]. Johnson posted a 2.70 ERA this season with 27 strikeouts to match, and had 7 more Ks in the postseason.
2021 Prediction: Slightly higher ERA, but still a main member of the 'pen.
Tonight I'll present the members of this team that entered into the mix after Opening Day.
Looking from the rotation from a keen edge, it seems as though Zach Davies had the most productive season for his 12 games. The Brewers mainstay did insanely well in his first season in San Diego, with a 7-4 record, a 2.73 ERA, 63 strikeouts, and...unfortunately, two less-than-stellar postseason starts.
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