3 Padres starting pitchers who will begin 2024 season in the majors, and 2 who won't

Padres RHP Matt Waldron will begin the 2024 season in Triple-A

Matt Waldron logged just over 40 innings in the major leagues last season, and unlike the aforementioned Pedro Avila, the former Nebraska Cornhusker kept free runners off the base paths in 2023. Waldron owned a walk rate of just 6.9 percent in his eight appearances a year ago.

And while walks will haunt the dreams of a pitcher's manager, Waldron's inability to effectively get batters out at the major league level could hold him back this spring. Waldron was only able to post 31 punchouts over 41-plus innings in 2023.

That equates to a little over six strikeouts per nine innings, which isn't very good. However, during his time at Triple-A last season, Waldron posted 9.65 K/9 and still maintained a good 2.92 walks per nine innings pitched.

And while that aspect of his game was much better in the minor leagues, opposing batters were hitting over .300 against Waldron during his time at Triple-A El Paso. Waldron was just 2-10 with a 7.31 ERA in 92 innings with the Chihuahuas last season.

Matt Waldron has minor-league options remaining, so the Padres can easily send the right-hander back to the minors and use him as a depth piece to give the big league club a spot start here and there as needed.