3 Padres players who need a comeback season in 2022

Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Padres Blake Snell
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 31: Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres delivers a seventh inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Blake Snell

Blake Snell didn’t look like his American League Cy Young self last season, but many players struggled after the shortened 2020 season. He actually made the second-most starts of any season of his six-year career, posting a 4.20 ERA over 27.

Being realistic, his 2018 Cy Young season was an aberration, not the norm. It was the only season of his career in which he posted an ERA under 3.24, an astoundingly low, American League-leading 1.89 over a career-high 31 starts.

What the Padres need is for Snell to stay healthy, make 28+ starts, and try to keep the earned runs minimal. We wouldn’t say no to another Cy Young season, but we’ll take an ERA under 4 and a boatload of strikeouts.