Padres may not need another painful trade to find their next bullpen weapon

It was a blockbuster trade that took place on the day of the MLB's trade deadline one season ago that sent then Athletics star Mason Miller to San Diego. The Padres also received pitcher JP Sears, while in return, the Friars dealt Braden Nett, Henry Báez, Eduarniel Nuñez and then 18-year-old prospect Leo De Vries, who currently ranks as the No. 3 prospect in baseball. It was certainly a haul that San Diego had to give up in order to acquire one of the best bullpen arms in the sport.

General Manager A.J. Preller and the rest of the team's front office is hoping they will not have to deal a package of assets to get their next late-inning weapon. There are many promising arms in the Padres organization who have the potential to rise to the occasion, but one particulary stands out.

Padres’ next relief weapon might already be growing fast in Tucker Musgrove

San Diego pulled the trigger on Tucker Musgrove with the 221st pick of the 2023 MLB Draft after pitching three seasons of college ball for the University of Mobile, an NAIA school in Alabama. For the Rams, Musgrove actually served as a two-way player. Through 392 career at-bats he had a .398/.505/.668 slashline. He also impressively stole 43 bags.

On the bump, Musgrove (no relation to Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove) began as a starting pitcher, posting a respective 4.05 ERA through 53.1 innings his freshman year. In his second season he started in seven games, while coming out of relief in five. Musgrove showed a bit of a sophomore slump as he recorded a 6.99 ERA through just over 28 innings. As Tucker entered his third and final season at Mobile, he was transformed into a closer. He pitched in 15 games in 2023 and recorded 10 saves with just a 3.00 ERA.

A devastating setback

Musgrove had his eyes set on becoming a two-way player at the next level, however, during a 2023 medical screening, it was revealed that he had torn his UCL and would need season ending surgery. The recovery was tough for Tucker as he faced several setbacks that also forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. Upon his return from the injury, the Padres made their decision on his future with the organization. The team told him he would just be a pitcher moving forward.

The potential

Today Tucker is playing for the Padres High-A affiliate, the Fort Wayne Tin Caps where he currently holds a 6.14 ERA through 7.1 innings. In 2025 he pitched in Low-A posting a 5.40 ERA through 20 innings. As these numbers are far less than impressive, it is worth noticing his strikeout numbers. Musgrove is known to be a high-volume strikeout arm, a fastball that can reach triple-digits, and a deadly sweeper (sounds like Mason Miller, right?). Through 27.1 career innings pitched in Minor League Baseball, he has struck out an absurd 40 hitters. As Tucker is just 24-years-old, it is safe to say that the Padres could have a hidden gem in their hands.

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