How Ryan Bergert is turning bullpen lessons into rotation results

Ryan Bergert is the newest member of the Padres' starting rotation, and so far, he's been giving the Friars great innings in 2025. While it has only been 2 starts, Bergert holds a 1.26 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 14.1 innings of work. Strong numbers for the rookie have led many to wonder if he could be a long-term rotation answer.

Before joining the rotation, Bergert had briefly been called up to join the bullpen. Although he made just four appearances out of the pen, Bergert credits the bullpen for helping him grow as a pitcher.

He joined MLB Network Radio and admitted that he "picked some brains" of the relievers in the San Diego pen.

One of his key takeaways was about keeping an aggressive mentality.

"Going out and giving 100% every single pitch, not trying to coast through five innings," said Bergert. "I think that's helped me kinda, stay on the attack the entire time."

One of the key differences between starters and relievers is that starting pitchers are asked to throw significantly more pitches than those in the pen. Going deep into games can be taxing on the arm, and it can be easy for pitchers to relax in certain at-bats and not go 100 percent.

Whether it's saving their best stuff for the best hitter in the lineup or saving it for the next inning, starters are not always expected to throw at their top velocity or intensity every at-bat. However, relievers, who usually only come in for an inning, are able to be much more aggressive on each individual pitch.

Bergert said he is taking that bullpen mindset and applying it when he starts. He might not be able to reach his peak velocity every time he throws a fastball, but he can still approach every at-bat with the same level of intensity and focus. So far, it has worked for him. The rookie has allowed just two earned runs this year.