Ranking the 10 best former Padres in the 2026 MLB playoffs

The 2026 MLB playoffs have arrived, and once again, the San Diego Padres are back in the mix. Hopefully, the Friars will last longer than they did a year ago, but we are in the middle of an exciting period of the season nonetheless.

Ahead of San Diego's three-game set against the Chicago Cubs, let's get ourselves reacquainted with some former Friars who are playing for other teams in the postseason.

Here are 10 of the best former Padres competing in the 2026 postseason, ranked based on their production this season.

10. Colin Rea

Current team: Chicago Cubs
Years with Padres: 2015-16
2026 bWAR: 0.8

Rea took a step back from his production last year, but he was still helpful in the back-end of the rotation and as a long-relief option. He won eight games, logged six quality starts, and threw 137 innings. That's not terrible for a guy who most people don't recognize on a playoff roster.

9. Trent Grisham

Current team: New York Yankees
Years with Padres: 2020-23
2026 bWAR: 0.6

Grisham has dealt with a hamstring issue all season. He hasn't played since early September, but if he finds a way to play this postseason, he is no stranger to hitting a spark home run. After belting 34 home runs in 2025 with the Bronx Bombers, Grisham hit 18 this season across 121 games.

8. Ryan Weathers

Current team: New York Yankees
Years with Padres: 2021-23
2026 bWAR: 2.2

Traded to the Yankees from the Marlins this year, Weathers has been a terrific bottom-of-the-rotation southpaw. In 25 starts, Weathers produced a 3.60 ERA with 143 strikeouts. A forearm strain has kept him off the mound since August 22, but there is hope that he can join New York at some point in October.

7. Tanner Scott

Current team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Years with Padres: 2024
2026 bWAR: 1.9

It was a weird season for Tanner Scott. He showed flashes of stardom and recorded 25 saves. But he also lost six games to sour Dodgers fans' faith in him. He did end the season on a good note, throwing in five consecutive scoreless outings, which included three saves and a hold.

6. Robert Suarez

Current team: Atlanta Braves
Years with Padres: 2022-25
2026 bWAR: 1.5

An elbow injury sidelined Suarez for three months in his first season with the Braves. He returned to the bullpen just ahead of the end of the season, surrendering two runs in two innings. He had a 0.56 ERA in 32 innings before his injury, and if he can resdiscover that dominance, Suarez will be the Braves' X-factor this October.

5. Luis Arraez

Current team: Philadelphia Phillies
Years with Padres: 2024-25
2026 bWAR: 2.9

As of Monday afternoon, the Phillies announced that Arraez will not be on the team's roster for the Wild Card series against the Braves due to an ankle injury. If they are able to advance, they may see Arraez return, though. He batted .310 this season with the Giants and the Phillies, marking his sixth season hitting above .300.

4. David Bednar

Current team: New Yankees
Years with Padres: 2019-20
2026 bWAR: 1.9

Bednar racked up 35 saves this season, which was tied for the third most in the American League. He also won seven games.

3. Blake Snell

Current team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Years with Padres: 2021-23
2026 bWAR: 1.7

Health has not been on Snell's side since joining the Dodgers in 2025. He's made 20 combined starts over the last two seasons, including nine this year. But in those nine starts, he had a 1.90 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. He is currently healthy, which will help Los Angeles remain favorites in the playoffs.

2. Josh Hader

Current team: Houston Astros
Years with Padres: 2022-23
2026 bWAR: 2.7

Bicep tendinitis kept Hader off the mound until June. But since his return, he has unsurprisingly been a top reliever. He finished the season with a 1.01 ERA in 45 appearances, allowing just 19 hits in 44.2 frames. The Astros barely reached the playoffs with an 81-81 record, but if they can make it to the ninth inning with a lead, then they can relax a bit knowing that a prime Hader is still on their team.

1. Nick Martinez

Current team: Tampa Bay Rays
Years with Padres: 2022-23
2026 bWAR: 3.9

Did anyone see this coming? Martinez is having a bounce-back year after a shaky 2025 campaign with the Reds. This season, he led the Rays to a 98-win season as the ace, going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 16 quality starts, and 1.094 WHIP. He won't win the Cy Young Award, but he will definitely receive some votes.

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