Padres’ King Eyes Big Season After Mixed Opening Day Start

San Diego, California — Right-hander Michael King has been named the Opening Day starter for the San Diego Padres, a decision that comes after a strong 2024 season in which he showcased impressive numbers. With a 2.95 ERA and a 13-9 record, King struck out 201 batters in 173.2 innings. Although he faced challenges during two postseason starts, where he maintained a 3.75 ERA over 12 innings, analysts are optimistic about his potential for the 2025 season.

“After getting the Opening Day nod, King will pick up where he left off last year. He’ll throw 190 to 200 innings and get that big payday,” said sports analyst Jesse Rogers, predicting a four-year, $71 million contract for the pitcher next offseason.

Currently, King holds a 4.05 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 13.1 innings this season. His Opening Day performance raised concerns, as he allowed three runs on four hits in just 2.2 innings, coupled with four walks and two wild pitches. A subsequent discussion with pitching coach Ruben Niebla appears to have led to noticeable improvements in King’s last two outings.

“That was the first conversation I had the next day,” King explained. “We talked about the bullpen coming up and what we wanted to work on. It was basically just my torso positioning, and once I corrected that, my mechanics felt a lot better and cleaner and more in control.”

As the Padres currently lead the National League West with an 11-3 record, it seems that King is beginning to find his footing as the team’s ace. With a current 2-0 record and those marked improvements, hopes are high for his ongoing performance.

In addition to bolstering their starting rotation, the Padres are also navigating their way through a roller coaster of injuries that have raised concerns within the organization. While the team is off to a solid start, the 2024 season taught them that depth is crucial.

Insiders speculate that the Padres might explore the free-agent market to further enhance their roster, especially in light of center fielder Jackson Merrill landing on the injured list. A potential reunion with veteran outfielder David Peralta is being discussed after he posted decent numbers with a .267 average, eight home runs, and 28 RBIs throughout 91 games with the Padres last season.

Although there were struggles against left-handed pitchers, hitting only .200 against southpaws while maintaining a .273 average against right-handers, the team could benefit from pairing Peralta with an effective platoon strategy to mitigate these concerns.

At 37 years old, Peralta brings over 11 years of Major League experience and exceptional leadership qualities in the clubhouse. He played a crucial role during Fernando Tatis Jr.’s absence last season due to injury, demonstrating his value to the team’s dynamics.

Peralta was initially signed to a minor league deal last summer, earning $1 million when promoted after three games in Triple-A. Bringing him back could prove advantageous for the Padres in this low-risk, high-reward move.