Philip Humber Interesting Padres Roster Invite

The Padres will have nearly 60 players to open Spring Training Camp, and the range of players headed to Peoria will range from rookies to older players looking for one more shot of glory. Consider Philip Humber in the latter category. Could he add security to an unknown Padres rotation heading into 2016 after a year in the Korean Baseball League?

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Humber is remembered most for his perfect game on April 21st, 2012 against the Mariners. It was just his second full season starting in the Major Leagues and unfortunately he proved to have a fast fall from grace following that fateful day. In 2011, he had two near no-hitters but they were broken up in the late innings. His second start of 2012 he was able to go the distance against Seattle.

Unfortunately for Humber the rest of 2012 didn’t go well – as he finished with a 5-5 record and a 6.44 ERA. In 2013 he made just 7 starts and saw his ERA climb all the way up close to 8. 2014 saw him in AAA for Oakland where he pitched nearly 70 innings but nearly all out of the bullpen. Last year he took his talents to the Korean Baseball League where he started 15 games to a 5.65 ERA.

He is now 33 years old and his best years are certainly behind him, but the Padres wouldn’t be asking much of him if he is able to show that he still has talent to make it back to the majors.

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The Padres have a mix of youth and veterans battling to fill out their bullpen and starting rotation. With several swingmen in camp, from Drew Pomeranz to Brandon Maurer, it will be interesting what will happen if more of them take the rotation spot and the Padres are left needing more bullpen help. Will Humber be able to recreate his 2012 perfection or fade to the background once again?