The San Diego Padres projected pitching rotation has a top three with the potential to matchup with any staff in MLB. After that, things get a little dicey. Randy Vasquez has increased his innings pitched over the past two seasons, but he has shown himself to be susceptible to the walk, allowing 58 last season. To his credit, worked himself into and out of jams which kept his ERA at a respectable 3.84 in 2025. Matt Waldron was one of the top pitchers in the San Diego rotation at times two seasons ago, but he was unable to have the same success in 2025 and spent the year in the minors. Kyle Hart started last season in the Padres rotation, but fell out and into the minors, before eventually returning to the big-league club as a member of the bullpen. Joining Vasquez, Waldron and Hart to compete for a rotation spot is JP Sears, who was reported to be the main reason Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller reached out to the Athletics which ultimately resulted in San Diego acquiring not only Sears, but closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline last season. Sears did not endear himself to the Friar Faithful in his five starts for San Diego, but he may get another chance to do so with a strong performance in Spring Training.
