The San Diego Padres advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2022, finishing 93-69 and in second place in the National League West.
Although the Padres had a strong first playoff series, they lost to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
After a strong showing in 2024, the Padres haven’t made any offseason acquisitions so far, but they do have one dominant starting pitcher on their roster.
Dylan Seis is the ace of the Padres’ starting rotation, and the stats show just how dominant he was with one of his pitches in 2024.
According to MLB Network’s ‘X,’ Seis led the league in most swings and misses per pitch with 313 swings and misses on his slider.
Dylan Cease’s slider is rough 😳
(h/t: @SlangsOnSports) pic.twitter.com/P6V0BXOSqc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 19, 2025
Chase entered the league in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, where he played for five seasons before being traded to the Padres in 2024.
With the Padres in 2024, Chase started 33 games and posted a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 189.1 innings.
Cease’s slider had 70 more swings and misses than the next closest player, which was Chris Sale’s slider.
While Seays’ slider has proven to be his most dominant pitch in 2024, he also has an above-average fastball that can make him tougher for opposing hitters.
The Padres will need to be dominant again in 2025 if they want to compete with the Dodgers for a division title they haven’t won since 2006.
NEXT: Ken Rosenthal offers insight into the Padres’ infighting
