2 relievers who’ve moved up Padres trust tree, 1 who has already moved down

It's still way too early in the regular season to pronounce or denounce anyone, but through seven perfect games for the Padres, some relief pitchers have stood out above others.

Again, San Diego is 7-0. Friars fans are rejoicing in baseball paradise right now. The front office just extended Jackson Merrill's contract, so it's difficult for anyone to complain. With that said, through a week of games, Padres fans' trust is starting to lean on the shoulders of Jason Adam and Robert Suarez, all while the verdict is still out on Alek Jacob.

Jason Adam

Adam, who had moments of superstardom in spring training, is off to a red-hot start in the regular season. He posted a 1.01 ERA in his first stint with San Diego last year across 27 appearances, and he is already building off of that dominance.

In four outings this year, Adam has struck out seven batters in 4 1/3 frames, and he has yet to surrender a hit. Adam has a 0.989 career WHIP, and perhaps this is the season when he earns his first All-Star nod. Padres fans are falling in love with him already, considering he has three holds and a win. The production is impossible to overlook.

Robert Suarez

Robert Suarez was not easy to watch in the spring. He walked four batters and allowed 11 hits in 4 2/3 frames, which proved that he simply was working through some things. Padres fans entered the 2025 regular season with caution surrounding Suarez, but he has already regained their trust through three perfect appearances. He is 3-for-3 in save opportunities, facing only 11 batters in three innings.

Suarez was electric in 2024, dialing up 36 saves, so it's a major breath of fresh air to see him quickly get back to his A+ version on the mound.

Alek Jacob

Jacob, to the surprise of some, made the Opening Day roster. While he hasn't been terrible, there have been signs of shakiness in three relief appearances. He's only allowed one run in 2 2/3 frames, but Jacob has handed out six hits and a hit by pitch. That 8.10 WHIP has to shrink mightily if he wants the coaching staff and the fans to trust him, but he has been able to evade any major damage.

Jacob is a strike-thrower, which can have an adverse affect on him if he isn't locating properly. He's landed 72 percent of his pitches for strikes, which is a good sign, but his command needs a bit more tinkering to climb the trust ladder again.