Ranking Nick Pivetta's 2025 dominance among other top Padres pitching seasons this century

It was a season to remember for Nick Pivetta. Suiting up for the Padres for the first time ever in 2025, Pivetta provided a steady dosage of dominance in a starting rotation that was constantly upended by injuries. Pivetta, 32, was the mainstay, as he finished the year tied for fifth place in the National League in ERA (2.87), while also finishing second in WHIP (0.985).

As one of the best breakout players this year in all of Major League Baseball, Pivetta is deservingly getting the nod as the Game 1 starter in the Wild Card Round of the 2025 MLB playoffs, opposing the Chicago Cubs in a matchup of the 4 vs. 5 seed. Pivetta will oppose Mathew Boyd on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, which will mark his first playoff appearance since 2018 (with the Boston Red Sox).

But before the 2025 postseason commences, let's take a quick look at the 10 best starting pitching seasons from a San Diego Padre this century. We have seen some some outright dominant campaigns since 2000, including two Cy Young Award efforts. So, where does Nick Pivetta rank among the greats this century? Have a look below - he was much better than you may think.

Note: This list is only for starting pitchers, and they can only be named once (or else Jake Peavy would fill up half of the ranking).

10 best San Diego Padres starting pitching seasons, 2000-2025

10. Chris Young, 2007

bWAR: 3.6
W-L: 9-8
ERA: 3.12
Strikeouts: 167
WHIP: 1.098
Other: Only career All-Star appearance

9. Mat Latos, 2010

bWAR: 3.2
W-L: 14-10
ERA: 2.92
Strikeouts: 189
WHIP: 1.083
Other: 21 quality starts

8. Tyson Ross, 2014

bWAR: 2.4
W-L: 13-14
ERA: 2.81
Strikeouts: 195
WHIP: 1.211
Other: Only career All-Star appearance

7. Michael King, 2024

bWAR: 4.1
W-L: 13-9
ERA: 2.95
Strikeouts: 201
WHIP: 1.192
Other: 99th percentile in average exit velocity

6. Dylan Cease, 2024

bWAR: 4.1
W-L: 14-11
ERA: 3.47
Strikeouts: 224
WHIP: 1.067
Other: Threw a no-hitter, 100th percentile in breaking run value

5. Joe Musgrove, 2021

bWAR: 3.7
W-L: 11-9
ERA: 3.18
Strikeouts: 203
WHIP: 1.081
Other: Threw two CG shutouts, including a no-hitter; 100th percentile in breaking run value

4. Yu Darvish, 2022

bWAR: 4.6
W-L: 16-8
ERA: 3.10
Strikeouts: 197
WHIP: 0.950
Other: 25 quality starts

3. Nick Pivetta, 2025

bWAR: 5.3
W-L: 13-5
ERA: 2.87
Strikeouts: 190
WHIP: 0.985
Other: 99th percentile in pitching run value; 15 starts with 0 or 1 run allowed

2. Blake Snell, 2023

bWAR: 6.5
W-L: 14-9
ERA: 2.25
Strikeouts: 234
WHIP: 1.189
Other: Won the Cy Young Award

1. Jake Peavy, 2007

bWAR: 6.2
W-L: 19-6
ERA: 2.54
Strikeouts: 240
WHIP: 1.061
Other: Most Padres Ks in a season this century, won the Cy Young Award

Honorable Mention

Dinelson Lamet, 2020: 2.3 bWAR in 12 starts, 93 strikeouts, 0.855 WHIP