Mike Shildt Reveals What Role Michael King Will Play for Padres

He will be an integral part of the team next season.

On Friday, Padres manager Mike Shildt sat down with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune for an interview. In that interview, he covered his expectations for next year as a whole and for individual players.

He talked about what pitcher Michael King's role would be next year after coming over from the New York Yankees as the headlining piece of the Juan Soto trade.

You start with King. he has made 19 (career) starts. He has pitched in the bullpen in the past but has started all the way back at Boston College and has done a nice job in his (MLB) starts. He’s coming in as a starter for us, and we’re excited about him. His reputation of being a real pro, having a high care factor, good work ethic, all the positive intangibles you want, are true in spades. This guy is really a together guy. So he’s clearly gonna get the opportunity.

Mike Shildt to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune

The Yankees used King, 28, in both the bullpen and as a starter. He's had success as a relief pitcher helping him have a career ERA of 3.38. Last year, he made significant strides, specifically as a starter, culminating in his best year by far.

In 2023, the right-hander, as a starter, had a 2.23 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 31.3 strikeout percentage in six starts.  

These improvements will help him next year, as the third starter in the Padres rotation - behind Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish. He's going to get some real runway in San Diego to show why the Yankees did not want to let him go, even for Juan Soto.