Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Padres Pitcher Dazzles As Innings Limit Question Looms

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King, the headliner of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade last winter, has blossomed into an ace. His emergence this year has been exactly what the Padres needed, especially given the untimely absences of Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish throughout the season. King continues to string together impressive outings, making him one of the Padres’ most crucial difference-makers as they intensify their postseason push.

Padres Pitcher Dazzles As Innings Limit Question Looms

A “Royal” Addition To Rotation

While Dylan Cease is making a case to earn some National League CY Young votes with his strong second half, King’s efficiency should not be overlooked. King started only nine games of the 49 in which he appeared for the Yankees in 2023; he posted a 2.23 ERA with 51 strikeouts in those starts. That momentum seems to have carried over to his 2024 campaign.

 

So far this season, King ranks 6th in the NL with a 3.18 ERA. He is also tied for fourth place in the NL with 11 wins and fifth in strikeouts with 167. King’s success has given the Padres a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation, allowing them to fuel a postseason push despite an abundance of injuries. Knuckleballer Matt Waldron has flashed ace potential at times but has also been the most inconsistent Padres pitcher. As such, King gives the Padres’ rotation a boost of much-needed consistency.

Potential Workload Limit for King

As successful as King has been, the Padres still face a big question surrounding their new ace. Specifically, the team is closely monitoring King’s innings and overall workload. King has already pitched 141.1 innings this year, eclipsing his previous major league high of 104.2, which he achieved last year in New York.

 

King possesses elite swing-and-miss stuff, evidenced by his high percentile rankings in chase, whiff, and strikeouts. His electric arsenal has often been a nightmare for hitters this year, which allows him to pitch deep into games. Still, as King’s innings count rises during a vital stretch, the Padres may start to monitor him more closely than before.

Addressing Concerns Over Innings Pitched

So far, though, the team does not appear worried about King’s availability as a starter for the remainder of the season. After a stellar start last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Mike Shildt told Padres broadcaster Bob Scanlan that there has been “open communication” with King about his physical state and availability. Shildt added that King’s stuff looks “really good,” which, for now, helps suppress concerns about his innings pitched.

 

King turned in another excellent outing on Monday night in San Diego against the Minnesota Twins, tossing six innings while collecting six strikeouts and only two earned runs. This could be huge for the Padres down the stretch. It appears that King has earned the trust of his manager and the organization regarding his durability and efficiency. Earlier in the season, it seemed likely that the emergent Padres pitcher would eventually transition to a bullpen role. Now, though, it looks like King will continue to be a vital piece of the Padres’ rotation for the remainder of the season.

Looking Ahead To Padres’ Postseason Rotation

King looks to be one of the most important Padres pitchers in the postseason. Currently, Cease would likely pitch in the opening game of a postseason series, followed by either King or the recently returned Musgrove. If Darvish does come back form the restricted list at some point, he could also be an option to start the third game. It all depends on the health and effectiveness of Musgrove and Darvish; both missed significant time and will look to get back to form as quickly as possible. Waldron’s inconsistency makes him a more likely candidate for a relief role. Whatever the case may be, King has given the Padres a more positive rotation outlook for a postseason series than the one they had as recently as a month ago.

Trading Soto away last year was a tough pill to swallow for Padres fans. But, as King recently told the media, it was “mutually beneficial” for both teams. King’s meteoric rise proves him right.

Main Photo Credits: Denis Poroy-USA TODAY Sports

 

Drew Arellano

Drew Arellano

Drew is a San Diego-based writer and screenwriter with a deep passion for baseball, football, and movies. He is also a lifelong Padres fan.

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message