San Diego Padres Have a Gem in Prospect Brad Wieck

Brad Wieck has been terrific so far this spring for the San Diego Padres. After another quality-appearance today, the young hurler could earn himself a spot in the Friars’ bullpen.

Brad Wieck was acquired by the San Diego Padres in the trade that sent Alex Torres to the New York Mets in 2015. A former 7th-round pick in 2014, the 6’9″ left-hander is now forcing his way into the conversation for a roster spot as a reliever.

That could be wishful thinking on Wieck’s part, but it’s always nice to see a young player making a name for himself. With the type of production he’s given up to this point in the Padres’ Cactus League games it might not be such a far-fetched idea.

Andy Green has made it very clear that the players who he feels will give this team its best chance to win will be the one he brings to San Diego when camp breaks. Whether that means there’s eight relievers, or six starters or a long bench, this is the situation for every man fighting for a place on this team.

Brad Wieck’s journey through MiLB has prepared him for the Padres

Most players make their professional debuts and impress. All of the front-office personnel who had a hand in drafting that player give themselves good a pat on the back, and they hope he can sustain his success.

Brad Wieck did impress his first year. In his first pro season with the Mets’ Low-A/Rookie affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones, he pitched his way to a 1.40 ERA over 25 innings with a K/9 rate of 13.7 and a K/BB ratio of 6.5.

The next season, playing in three minor league levels with two organizations, while his ERA jumped up to 4.09 over 123.1 IP, he was able to keep his strikeout numbers solid and his K/BB ratio respectable at 10.1 and 2.78, respectively.

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In 2016 between High-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio, Wieck had his best season as a professional up to that point.

In 61 IP, he had a 1.17 ERA, 1.109 WHIP, and 13.6 K/9. Last season his numbers took a hit after being called up to Triple-A El Paso (10.29 ERA in 9 appearances compared to 2.64 in 31 appearances at San Antonio).

San Diego Padres’ Brad Wieck has been lights-out

Heading into Spring Training, maybe only Brad Wieck and those within the San Diego Padres organization had any inkling that he would have a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 6 K after his first 5 IP in the Cactus League.

And some of those appearances have come at high-pressure times (as high-pressure as ST appearances can be). In today’s game versus the Giants, Wieck went 2 innings with two hits and two strikeouts.

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Granted, it was only a Spring Training game but with the lead changes and dramatics toward the end, both sides were visibly fired up for this one. Brad Wieck holding his own and getting the job done will only improve his chances of making the San Diego Padres Opening Day roster.