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

Padres RHP Jhony Brito will begin the 2024 season in the big leagues

Jhony Brito is certainly going to be in the mix to be part of the San Diego Padres 'starting rotation next season. Although his inclusion might be the tenuous. Brito will likely be battling it out with the likes of Glenn Otto and Jay Groome for that final spot.

This could come down to minor-league options. Both Brito and Otto have them, while Groome does not. So, if the Padres want to maintain as much roster flexibility as possible, Groome may have a leg up on the competition. However, Groome's horrific command (7.49 BB) and his inability to keep the ball in the yard (1.67 HR/9) during 30 starts in the minors last season don't bode well for his candidacy.

But Brito, who -- like Randy Vásquez -- was part of the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees earlier this winter, has 25 major league games to draw from. Brito appeared in over 90 innings for the Bronx Bombers last season and struck out nearly 20 percent of the hitters he faced, turning things up down the stretch while being used out of the bullpen.

The question may be not if Brito will be part of the San Diego rotation, but for how long. When younger arms like Jairo Iriarte and Drew Thorpe begin knocking on the door to the big leagues, it's possible Brito will be one of the first players optioned back to the minors or moved to the bullpen.

Look for Brito secure that fifth and final spot in the San Diego rotation once spring training wraps. Of course, there are always injuries that creep up once spring training begins, and the Friars have yet to add a left-hander to the rotation. But, at the moment, the Padres' 2024 Opening Day rotation will be much younger than in years past.