Padres Relief Pitcher Starts Off 2023 Season Hot with Exclusive Award

The hottest closer earns biggest honors in month of April

The first month of the season for your Padres wasn't as dominant as many expected. The Friars played .500 to below.500 baseball, and some games, you wondered if they would reach the heights they were built for. 

They're starting to find their stride going into May; however, Padres closer Josh Hader didn't waste any time coming out of the gates in 2023. Because of that, Hader earned the highest honor in his position could receive, the NL relief pitcher of the month. 

April’s Drink of the Month: Haderade pic.twitter.com/2rbX9SF4m5

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 3, 2023

The 29-year-old Southpaw has been otherwordly this first month of baseball as he has appeared in 14 games, pitched 14 innings, and has a 0.64 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and a 0.64 WHIP. The lone run he gave up was back on April 11 against the New York Mets, and he's only given up four hits.  

Hader had a rough start to his Padre career when they tarded for the reliever last year before the trade deadline, but from late September and on, he's been unhittable. 

The lefty closer has been dominant, and we will need more of that to get over the top. Congratulations, Josh, keep it up!