3 under-the-radar San Diego Padres players off to a good start in 2023

3) San Diego Padres pitcher Ryan Weathers could stick in the rotation

Ryan Weathers was not supposed to open the season in the Padres rotation, but took Joe Musgrove's spot after he went on the IL with a toe injury. Weathers has been better than San Diego could've ever dreamed in his first three starts of the season.

He's gone at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer in all three of his starts to begin the season. That kind of production is what San Diego would expect from Musgrove, not from their presumed seventh starter in Weathers.

The southpaw has gotten off to a great start and has pitched against extremely tough competition. His first start came at home against the NL West-leading Diamondbacks. His second start came against the 11-6 New York Mets at Citi Field. His most recent start came against the 13-4 Braves. These are three of the four best teams in the NL thus far.

San Diego lost his most recent start, but that was not because of Weathers as he tossed six innings allowing two runs on six hits. The Padres won his other two starts.

Musgrove is expected back shortly, and the Padres will have a tough decision to make. They have to decide between Weathers, Nick Martinez, and Seth Lugo for the final two rotation spots. Lugo and Weathers have been great while Martinez has not.