Grading Every Padres Player From 2026: Starting Pitchers

[Steve Drumwright]

We all know the starting rotation was a trouble spot for the 2026 San Diego Padres. Yes, there were some outstanding performances, but mostly it was a worrisome group throughout the season. Fortunately, the rotation gave the Friars just enough to be able to make a franchise-record third straight postseason appearance.

Now, it is time to hand out grades. For this unit, we are only including true starters, not players who started a game or two and then took up shelter in the bullpen. In other words, players need to have been classified as a starter on the roster (or at least were) at some point this season.

Previous entries: Grading Every Padres Position Player (2026)

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Regular-season innings pitched in parentheses.

Michael King (185 IP): A-

Originally penciled in to be the No. 3 starter entering spring training, the right-hander's role grew in importance with injuries. He eventually stepped up to become the ace of the staff. King tied for the team lead in starts (32) and was far and away No. 1 in innings pitched (career high of 185). His rate stats were down from 2025 (9.2% walk rate from 8.4%, 21% strikeout rate from 24.7%), but he compensated for that with a much higher groundball rate at 44% (up from 38.6%). He also stepped up big-time in the postseason, probably leading him to opt-out of his contract.

Walker Buehler (154⅔ IP): B-

Padres fans were skeptical of bringing in a former enemy with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the right-hander changed minds with a solid performance. For a bit, Buehler was the most consistent starter on the team, but that said more of the state of the rotation than it did Buehler. He wasn't spectacular, but he did pretty much what was expected.

Randy Vasquez (140⅔ IP): B

The right-hander proved a valuable member of the staff, mainly as a starter but then later as a reliever. He had a nice start to the season, then a swoon as the team struggled in June. He seemed to pitch better with a chip on his shoulder, which could come in handy after he was snubbed from the postseason roster when it was clear the Padres needed another effective arm. Barring a crazy offseason, Vasquez should be the team's No. 4 starter next year.

Griffin Canning (88⅔ IP): C-

As you can see, after the top three, the level of quality drops off precipitously here. The right-hander never got going as a member of the rotation once he returned in May from the Achilles injury sustained last year. Canning made just 11 starts, eventually being relegated to the bullpen. For what it's worth, he did step up his performance in September.

German Marquez (53 IP): F

Signing the right-hander at the beginning of spring training felt like a good gamble. It turned out not to be. After spending his first 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Marquez made six starts before hitting the injured list with forearm irritation, then came back in July and was better, but then was cut loose in early August.

Casey Mize (44⅔ IP): F

A curious case that may never be explained. After a really nice start to his season with the Detroit Tigers, Mize came over at the trade deadline and was ineffective with the Padres. A weird ankle injury stumbling down the dugout steps that never truly healed was just one of many bad ingredients in this recipe.

Robbie Ray (43 IP): C-

The other pitcher the Friars got at the deadline, Ray also didn't live up to his billing, though he wasn't outright terrible like Mize. The left-hander walked nearly as many as he struck out (27, 33) while also giving up his share of hits (39). The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner didn't feel like a risky proposition when acquired, though he also didn't rise to the occasion.

Nick Pivetta (34⅔ IP): B

Many wondered if the right-hander's season was over when he left an April start with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Even after having a setback in his first rehab outing, things looked bleak. But the Opening Day starter bounced back and made a surprising return for four September starts, then two more in the postseason. He should be a key part of the team next year if the Padres hold onto him (his player option converted to a club option due to his injury).

JP Sears (32⅔ IP): C

The other piece the Padres picked up in the Mason Miller trade from 2025, the left-hander was a non-factor except for a couple of emergency starts when the rotation was at a crossroads. The Padres need to figure out if Sears is part of their 2027 plan after he spent most of the season at Triple-A El Paso.

Matt Waldron (32⅔ IP): D

The knuckleballer's tenure with the Padres came to an end in late July after a couple of injuries, one of which he didn't disclose until his roster spot was on the line. Even when active, he was ineffective.

Lucas Giolito (29⅔ IP): D

Signed in late April, the right-hander only made five starts and two relief appearances before going on the injured list and never being heard from again.

Joe Musgrove (0 IP): C

The fan favorite, who was on the mend from Tommy John surgery, appeared on track to be on the Opening Day roster when his arm didn't recover from a 60-pitch debut in an exhibition game. Musgrove was nearing another return when his arm again didn't bounce back. That scuttled his entire regular season, but Java Joe made his triumphant return in the NL Wild Card Series clincher, then two innings in the NL Division Series finale. He has the offseason to figure out how to get his arm in condition to handle a full-season workload again.

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