2 unexpected Padres players who deserve All-Star consideration in 2025

Throughout this rollercoaster of a 2025 season for the San Diego Padres, Friars fans have seen several players step into All-Star-level roles. Gavin Sheets, Nick Pivetta, and Jason Adam weren't on the All-Star radar for many people, but they have now become worthy candidates of making the team this year.

Besides those three breakout Padres, the club has two more relievers who may be a bit of a surprise, but have come back into All-Star contention as we fall into the later days of June. Yuki Matsui and Adrian Morejon may not be your first choice, but they could be All-Stars before you know it.

Padres' Yuki Matsui, Adrian could get some All-Star consideration

Yuki Matsui

The talent and the stuff was always there for Matsui, and we just needed to be a bit patient before he fully settled into the season. The 29-year-old southpaw came into June with a 3.58 ERA, and has been sparkling ever since.

In eight appearances this month, Matsui has allowed just one run on four hits, dropping his ERA over half a run thanks to this solid stretch. He now has a 3.00 ERA, but it's trending in the right direction. With an elite swing and miss percentage, and an arsenal of devastating stuff (splitter, slider, sweeper), the National League may opt to select Matsui if he continues to dominate over the next two weeks.

Adrian Morejon

Morejon had a nightmare month in May. Though it was in the middle of the rest of the bullpen falling apart, Morejon has been locked in ever since. Over his last 13 outings, he has allowed one unearned run on just two hits. We are not just seeing vintage Morejon right now, but perhaps the best version of himself as a big leaguer.

His ERA has gone from 3.72 to 2.35 in no time, and has a 0.90 WHIP, too. And if his regular metrics are not enough to sell you, Morejon's numbers are jaw-dropping across the board. He might be the most unrecognized dominant reliever in the National League right now - but there's still hope that he will convince someone on the All-Star staff to add him to the Midsummer Classic.