HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 01: Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros pitches in the third inning during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Starghill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Padres Randy Vasquez needs a breakthrough 2025 season.
Randy Vasquez has a legitimate opportunity to become a mainstay in the Padres starting rotation.
Randy Vasquez was acquired by the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees last offseason. He came with big expectations, as Vasquez flashed an explosive four-seam fastball that was the centerpiece of an impressive pitching repertoire. It includes a devastating curveball and hard sinker that opened some eyes in his first spring training with the Friars.
The Padres brass had to re-evaluate their expectations for the right-hander. Instead of spending a full season in El Paso, they projected him to make a contribution as a back end member of the starting rotation. However, inconsistency robbed Vasquez of being a reliable starting pitcher.
In 20 starts, he went 4-7 with a 4.87 ERA. Vasquez allowed 119 hits in 98 innings pitched. It seemed every outing proved to be a massive challenge for him.
Pitchers and catchers for the Friars will report to the Peoria Sports Complex on February 12. It presents an opportunity for Vasquez to flip the script. The Padres lack starting pitching depth on the 40-man roster, as manager Mike Shildt still has to fill out two spots in the rotation before Opening Day. An impressive camp could land Vasquez on the big-league roster.
Vasquez Needs to Re-Gain Mound Dominance
Vasquez is a strikeout machine, averaging 7.3 strikeouts per 9 innings over his first two major league seasons. The young pitching phenom made his MLB debut in 2023 and did not disappoint. Vasquez went 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 11 appearances with the New York Yankees. He struck out 33 batters in 37.2 IP.
The Padres wanted him included in the Soto trade as they loved his use of the four-seam fastball (averaged 94-95 MPH) to expand the strike zone. Often, Vasquez forces hitters to chase the high pitch that results in several swing-and-misses. Combined with his devastating curveball and well-located sinker, you have a sequence of pitches that makes Vasquez unhittable.
His pitching repertoire was expected to silence left-handed hitters, but that was not the case last season. Vasquez threw a four-seam fastball with no movement. It allowed batters from both sides of the plate to drive the ball with authority into the outfield gaps. Opposing team’s batting average against him rose from .211 in 2023 to .304 last season.
For Vazquez to become a dominant major league starter, he needs to have better command of his pitches. More control would put him in a position to set batters up and punch them out.
Padres Refined Vasquez’s Pitching Mechanics
Vasquez’s curveball can be devastating when it comes looping over the plate. He skillfully uses the pitch to get lefty hitters out by forcing them to chase the pitch out of the strike zone.
Give credit to Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla and minor league instructors for improving the spin rate on his curveball last season. The improvement was noticeable, as Vasquez gained the confidence to use the pitch to shut down opposing offenses. The usage of his sinker decreased from 22.3% in 2023 to 15.7% last season. However, it can still generate significant movement (15.3 drop rate) that records meaningful outs in close games.
Today’s baseball is ever-changing, as injuries and under-performance open the door for minor league pitching phenoms. The Padres have shown patience with young pitchers by allowing them to get their footing in the majors.
Last season, Alek Jacob and Jeremiah Estrada pitched themselves into pivotal roles in the bullpen. If Vasquez could add a fourth pitch, like a cutter, the Friars could have a quality starting pitcher.
Rotation spots are up for grabs. Now is the time for Vasquez to seize the moment.
