Inside The Padres

Top 5 Padres Performers From The First Half

Who made the cut for the Friars?

Matt Levine

Top 5 Padres Performers From The First Half
Top 5 Padres Performers From The First Half /
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The struggles of the San Diego Padres this season have been apparent, and the team enters the second half of the season 6.5 games back of the final National League wild card spot. They have some ground to make up but have the talent to do so. Their pitching staff has helped carry them to this point and now the offense needs to start doing their jobs.

But it hasn’t all been bad for the Friars as they’ve had some players step up even amid the struggles. Here are the top five performers from the first half.

5. Josh Hader

Hader has been almost unhittable this season, but he comes in at number five because he has blown some saves and his walk rate and strikeout rate are higher than normal. But he still shoves and gives the Padres a very solid option to close games out. On the season, he holds an ERA of 1.08 and a WHIP of 1.02. Hader continues to be a top arm from the bullpen, and he should command a strong payday at the end of the season when he is scheduled to be a free agent.

4. Seth Lugo

Lugo joined the Padres now exactly knowing what the role would be. The long-time relief pitcher was trying to transition to being a starter and at least so far, it has worked out for him. In 12 games played, he holds an ERA of 3.39 and his Padres career has gone about as well as the team could have hoped. He did miss some time due to injury, but Lugo has remained as one of the more relied upon starters for this Padres team.

3. Fernando Tatis Jr.

Tatis Jr. would likely be higher on this list had he been playing the entire season. He missed the first part of the season as he finished up a suspension, so his debut didn’t come until April 20. But that hasn’t stopped him from dominating. On the year, he has hit .288 with 16 home runs and 44 runs batted in. He leads the Padres in batting average, home runs and is close to the runs batted in total. Tatis Jr. has been special, and he lands on this list as the only hitter.

2. Michael Wacha

Wacha Wacha! He is currently on the injured list, but Wacha has been awesome for the Friars this season. After a semi-rough start to the season, he has an ERA of just 1.19 over his last 10 starts. Without him, the Padres likely wouldn’t be in the position they are in to try and contend still. Wacha has given the Padres a guy who can eat innings and get outs and that’s all you can ask for. The team needs him back soon but his emergence this season hasn’t gone unnoticed.

1. Blake Snell

Where would this team be without Snell? Likely at the bottom of the standings because he has been incredible. Over his last nine starts, he has posted an ERA of just 0.68 and has struck out 84 batters. It has been insane to watch Snell perform lately, and it has helped give the Padres some life. Over the course of the season, Snell owns an ERA of 2.85 with 132 strikeouts. Like Hader, Snell is scheduled to be a free agent and should be in line for a massive payday this winter.

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Matt Levine
MATT LEVINE

Matt earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University in 2021. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, covering all Southern California sports in his career.

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