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San Diego Padres 2020 Starting Rotation Projections Before Spring Training

By Cheri Bell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Pitcher Chris Paddack #59 of the San Diego Padres reacts after getting the force out at first base with the bases loaded to end the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Pitcher Chris Paddack #59 of the San Diego Padres reacts after getting the force out at first base with the bases loaded to end the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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Starting pitcher Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Innings eater

Zach Davies

Acquired by the Padres, along with outfielder Trent Grisham, from Milwaukee in exchange for Eric Lauer and Luis Urias. Davies is a finesse pitcher who has had impressive success with the Brewers over his four seasons with the team.

Starting 2020 at 27 years of age, Davies features a four-pitch mix with a 90 MPH sinker, change-up, curveball, and cutter. He mixes his pitches well and has a 3.91 ERA over his four seasons.

His 2018 season was his shortest with only 66 innings pitched as a result of two stints on the injured list with rotator cuff inflammation.

His durability and consistency will be a welcome anchor for the middle of the rotation.

The Padres have two pitchers in the rotation coming off TJ surgery and will need the innings eater that Davies has become to help the bullpen rest. If placed after or between Richards and Lamet he should go a long way toward resting some tired arms.

Joey Lucchesi

With no disrespect to Cal Quantrill, Lucchesi has the inside track to the last rotation spot. He has a 4.14 ERA over his first two seasons with the Padres and pitched 163.2 innings in 2019.

Lucchesi features a two-seam fastball in the low 90’s with his trademark churve (curve/change-up combo) being the most effective. His issue during his first two seasons has been his inability to pitch deep into games as the hitters adjust well to his fastball and churve pattern.

To be effective and pitch deeper into games, Lucchesi has added a third pitch that he will debut during the spring. If able to incorporate an effective third offering, Lucchesi will have a leg up on Quantrill for the final spot, especially as he is the only left hander competing for the rotation.

There has not been a whisper of what Quantrill has been working on this offseason. If he comes into Arizona with an improved performance on the mound it can only make the last rotation spot a more interesting competition.

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