Power ranking Padres’ potential rookie superstars in 2024 season

4. Woo-Suk Go, Padres RHP

Go will be returning to his native South Korea for the first game of the Padres season. The former KBO star will attempt to make the switch to the big leagues. After working as a closer overseas, Go is expected to work more of the middle innings, and perhaps some high-leverage situations as the season unfolds.

Go's first experience this spring has not yielded the type of results many Pads fans were hoping for after his signing was announced this offseason. Go posted a 12.46 ERA in five Cactus League games with a 2.308 WHIP.

But spring training offers players, especially newly-signed big league pitchers like Go, an opportunity to see how their stuff plays against major league talent. Go's three-pitch mix (fastball, curveball, slider) should play well in the majors, but there's still plenty of development ahead for the 25-year-old.

3. Graham Pauley, Padres OF

Pauley was on the plane to Korea earlier this week. With Manny Machado restricted to acting as the Padres designated hitter for the time being, Pauley could see plenty of starts at third base. The question surrounding Pauley will be the amount of playing time he'll receive once Machado is back to full strength.

With Jake Cronenworth firmly entrenched at first base and Xander Bogaerts now playing second base, getting regular at-bats could be a difficult task for Pauley. But the DH affords Mike Shildt some options, and perhaps the left-handed hitting slugger will see time in the outfield as well.