Why Padres 2020 season could hinge on the arm of Garrett Richards

We take a look at starting pitcher Garrett Richards and the impact he could have on the 2020 season for the San Diego Padres.

There has not been a lot of talk about San Diego Padres starting pitcher Garrett Richards this offseason, but what he could potentially do for this team in 2020 could determine whether or not they make the postseason this year.

Now maybe I’m overstating his importance just a bit, but when the Padres signed him to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million knowing they would only get one full year out of him, they were hoping for a top of the rotation pitcher.

And as the depth chart currently stands, that’s what they are expecting from Richards in 2020.

Right now we know we have a top of the rotation arm in Chris Paddack. But everyone else behind him is a question mark.

Dinelson Lamet is the only only starting pitcher in the rotation who could become a top of the rotation starter in 2020.

Now, we certainly believe that MacKenzie Gore could join Paddack atop the rotation in 2020 at some point, but that’s not a given in his potential rookie season. Luis Patino most likely won’t make his big league debut until September or in 2021.

Joey Lucchesi and Zach Davies seem like solid middle-to-back of the rotation starters and I don’t see either of them suddenly becoming a number two-type pitcher.

But Richards has that capability. It seems like a long shot at this point considering his injury history, but when healthy this guy has been ace-like.