4 small moves the San Diego Padres made that are already paying off in 2025

Everyone knows the flashy names like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Everyone knows the big offseason moves, like adding Nick Pivetta and Gavin Sheets to San Diego. But there is more to the Padres' story in 2025.

Let's take a look at four of the more underrated moves that are paying off the Padres early in the season,.

These small Padres moves are already paying off in 2025

Calling up Stephen Kolek

Have the Padres found their new No. 5 starter? So far, it certainly has looked like it in Stephen Kolek. Though he has only made three starts, Kolek is already making a big impression in San Diego.

Last year, he struggled in the bullpen, pitching to a 5.21 ERA in 42 appearances. This year, something has turned around for the 28-year old. In three starts, Kolek holds a 2.33 ERA, and has already tossed a complete game shutout. While he is not a strikeout artist, Kolek has proven the ability to go deep into games, and looks like he could be a long-term rotation piece going forward.

Trusting Brandon Lockridge in the outfield

It felt like a bold choice giving 28-year old rookie Brandon Lockridge an Opening Day roster spot and trusting him to take on significant playing time in both center and left field in 2025. Although his offense has yet to come alive, Lockridge (0.3 bWAR) has given the Padres more value in the outfield than other options such as Connor Joe, (-0.2 bWAR), Tirso Ornelas (-0.3 bWAR) and Jason Heyward (-0.4 bWAR).

That's because, despite his slashline of .222/.276/.296, Lockridge has provided value both defensively and on the basepaths. According to Baseball Savant, Lockridge is in the 86th percentile for fielding run value and in the 98th percentile with a sprint speed of 29.7 miles per hour. That has helped him steal six bases in just 23 games played this season.

Giving Alek Jacob a spot in the bullpen

With such a stacked bullpen coming into the season, it was unclear if San Diego would have room for Jacob, the 26-year-old who had appeared in 10 games between the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Padres.

Fortunately for them, the Padres have found room for him and, so far, he has delivered. Jacob has appeared in 18 games and currently holds an ERA of 2.75. He has 14 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and has accumulated 0.4 bWAR.

While he is not being asked to pitch in high-leverage scenarios, Jacob has done his job well and is rewarding the Padres for finding him a spot on the roster.

Calling up Tyler Wade

Not the flashiest player, Wade has provided good value for the Padres as a utility man this season. He has stepped up to fill in at both second base and center field, playing solid defense and keeping the lineup afloat with a replacement-level bat.

While it may have been tempting for the Padres to call up a younger prospect, sometimes it is best to go with a known quantity like Wade. So far, he's rewarded the Padres by putting together a better season than expected.

His .680 OPS is the second-best mark of his career, and his .364 OBP is the best of his career. While he is not playing much, he has earned a spot on the team going forward, and can certainly contribute off the bench for San Diego.