The Padres are on a quest for their 'fifth starter', a role that's more of an ideal than a concrete position. This search is more about finding reliable pitchers who can contribute to the team's success rather than a single, designated 'fifth starter'.
The Padres' pitching coach, Ruben Niebla, emphasizes the importance of having a dependable pitcher in the fifth spot. He states, 'Hopefully we get into a spot where you don’t know the difference between your five and your three, your three and your one, your two and your four. You’re just deploying a good pitcher out there.'
This season, several pitchers are competing for the role, including Walker Buehler, Germán Márquez, Triston McKenzie, Marco Gonzales, and JP Sears. Griffin Canning is also in the mix, but his recovery from an Achilles injury may delay his contribution. Additionally, there are other prospects like Matt Waldron, Jackson Wolf, and Miguel Mendez who could surprise and make their mark.
The reality is that the 'fifth starter' role is often shared among multiple pitchers. Kyle Hart, Stephen Kolek, Michael King, Ryan Bergert, Nestor Cortes, and Sears all filled this role at different points last season. The Padres had 10 pitchers make at least five starts and 14 pitchers start at least one game.
The ideal scenario is to have pitchers capable of covering at least five innings while limiting damage. If the Padres' bullpen is reliable, this could be a winning strategy, pushing them from their projected 79 wins to a third consecutive season with at least 90 victories.
Last season, the Padres had a 63-24 record when their starting pitcher went at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs. This was significantly better than the MLB average winning percentage in such games.
While it's challenging to compare teams' No. 5 starters due to various factors, the pitcher who began as the No.5 starter for other 2025 playoff teams averaged 21 starts, 109⅓ innings, and a 4.62 ERA.
The Padres are not seeking an ace, but they are looking for a reliable pitcher who can contribute to the team's success. Manager Craig Stammen explains, 'He’s the ace on the day he’s pitching. That’s the No. 1 mentality for that guy.' The focus is on finding a pitcher who can be the best option on any given day, even if they are not as talented as an ace.
