A report card for every Padres player- 2025 first-half performances

9 months ago Willy Warren

Credit: AP Photo

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(MLB.com)

With the unofficial first half concluded, several Padres players have either underperformed or outperformed preseason expectations. In this article, we’ll go over every player’s first-half performance and assign letter grades.

Coming in at 52-44, San Diego’s first half of 2025 has been one to remember.

Not because they have thrived, nor because they have disappointed. Instead, because of the variance between the extremely high points and the frustratingly low points.

San Diego opened the year with seven straight wins. They set a new franchise record for an 11-0 start at Petco Park. They led the MLB in ERA and looked to be one of the best offensive teams in the field as well. The bullpen looked like eight high-leverage arms. Fernando Tatis Jr. looked all the way back to his 2021 form. Manny Machado didn’t regress— he improved. Jackon Merrill appeared to mature even further and was signed to a team-friendly extension. There was nothing negative to point out at the beginning of the season.

That was until Tatis Jr. went into a two-month slump, ace pitcher Michael King went down, likely until August. Jackson Merrill ran into injury problems and a slump of his own, and Dylan Cease lost the feel for his slider. Mediocrity creeped up on San Diego faster than Rickey Henderson could get down the line.

In all, it’s been a tale of unexpected risers and frustrating fallers when examining the players’ individual production. Gavin Sheets has been a hot month away from turning into last year’s Jurickson Profar. Meanwhile, all three of San Diego’s catching options have fallen under a .200 batting average, while turning in below-average defense. Here is our assessment of how each player has fared in the first half of 2025:

Position Players

C Elias Diaz – F

Diaz was signed back to San Diego on a one-year deal, with a mutual option worth $7M for 2026. However, as of the first half, that option is unlikely to be selected. From 2024 to 2025, Diaz’s batting average regressed .67 points, with his slugging percentage falling .85 points. His whiff rate has soared, and his role as the “offensive” catcher never really got off the ground. Defensively, Diaz has been reliable in most aspects, despite a growing inefficiency in framing. Diaz ranks 48th out of 58 qualified catchers in Catcher Framing Runs, via Statcast. 

C Martin Maldonado – F

Maldonado came over from the White Sox and made the roster with a particular role. The veteran backstop was brought in to serve as an advanced game caller and extension of the pitching coach. To his credit, San Diego has been slightly better when he’s on the field, with a 32-24 record. However, there’s little more positive that can be said about Maldonado. He’s slashing an abysmal .178/.221/.295, coming out to a .516 OPS. However, his biggest deficiency has actually been his defense. Maldonado has been the third-worst defensive catcher in all of baseball, per Run Value.

Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

1B Luis Arraez – B

If you take away Arraez’s first and last nine games of the first half, he’s hitting .294 with a 109 wRC+. That would mirror his wRC+ in 2024. He’s only spent 6 days this season in the .300 AVG territory, but has compensated with a slight uptick in walks and five home runs, which is tied for the most he’s ever had in a first half. He became the everyday 1st baseman, even though he hasn’t made any strides on defense. With his average sitting at .283, San Diego hopes he can repeat his .321 second-half average from 2024.

2B Jake Cronenworth – B+

Cronenworth’s .352 on-base percentage would be higher than both of his All-Star seasons in 2021 and 2022. His 13.4% walk rate leads the team. Although his production is still well down from when he broke in, he has a 120 wRC+ and has played solid defense. His 1.6 WAR will eclipse his 2024 and 2023 totals, and could easily reach the three mark. Hitting in the bottom third, Cronenworth’s ability to turn the lineup over has been a valuable trait, especially considering the holes at catcher and in left field. 

3B Manny Machado – A

Turning 33 on July 6, Machado has shown no signs of slowing down at the plate. After a slow start power-wise, Manny Machado blasted 14 homers following May 22, the seventh-most in the MLB across that span. Machado hasn’t taken any steps back in Chase%, Whiff%, and K%. Furthermore, his average exit velocity still hangs around in the 90th percentile. He’s likely been fueled by several milestones, including his 350th home run, 100th Petco Park home run, and 2,000th hit. Machado’s 56 RBI and 17 homers lead the team, as his leadership prowess hasn’t gone anywhere.

Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

SS Xander Bogaerts – B+

It was a tale of two “quarters” for Xander Bogaerts in the first half. Up until his game-tying double against the Dodgers in LA on June 17, Bogaerts hit .227 with a 76 wRC+ and .615 OPS. Since that swing, he’s hitting a scorching .372 with an insane 183 wRC+ and .982 OPS. On the other side, he’s posting the best defensive season of his career, per Run Value. His mini-resurgence has tipped his season wRC+ over league average. Suddenly, San Diego’s “big miss signing” is an above-average hitter, fielder, and baserunner at the game’s most prized position.

LF Gavin Sheets – A

In turn, Sheets was anything but a “miss” in the 2025 offseason. Sheets is slashing .265/.324/.451 with 14 HR— already four more than his total in 2024. On a contract of just $1.6M, Sheets has provided near-All-Star level production. Among qualified hitters, his 15.5% leap in Hard-Hit% ranks as the second-largest improvement between 2024 and 2025. Defensively, he’s taken over as the primary left fielder. He struggled at first, but has improved rapidly, and has progressed to a league-average fielder, per Run Value. He’s largely exceeded expectations both as a hitter and defender.

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CF Jackson Merrill – C+

Merrill’s first half timeline was a rocky one. A hamstring issue sidelined him for a month, and a little over a  month later, he suffered a concussion. However, Merrill had an excellent first ten games, posting a 1.091 OPS. He was solid upon returning from injury, but ran into a real slump after returning from concussion protocol. His whiff, chase, and strikeout rates all regressed from 2024. Merrill’s been strong in the outfield, flashing an elite arm and his first-round-pick athleticism. Lastly, it’s worth noting that he broke out emphatically with two homers against Zack Wheeler on Saturday.

(MLB.com)

RF Fernando Tatis Jr. – B+

Tatis Jr’s first 21 games had just about everybody convinced that he was back to MVP form. He hit .358 with eight homers and a 213 wRC+, which was second only to Pete Alonso in the National League. Additionally, his glove still has that platinum in it from his award-winning season in 2023. He leads all right fielders in Fielding Run Value, and it’s not close. He ran into a hefty slump through May and June, but has started strong in July. Even with reduced power numbers, his pure talent affected numerous contests in all aspects of the game.

UTIL Tyler Wade – C+

Wade didn’t make the Opening Day roster, but quickly came up to play his typical utility role. At the plate, he’s improved from 2024, with his OBP jumping .30 points. His 12.1% walk rate has come in handy for a team with a weak bottom three hitters. His value as a baserunner and fielder is nothing special, but it’s been solid.

UTIL Jose Iglesias – D+

Iglesias’s grade benefits from some clutch moments at the plate, in which his contact approach has played well. With that said, Iglesias has been nothing near his 2024 self. His batting average is down .106 points, he’s yet to homer, and his SLG is down .182 points. Outside of that, defense has been his calling card throughout his career. Instead, Iglesias has ranked in the 23rd percentile in Fielding Run Value. He’s provided a spark on the basepaths, but has disappointed overall. Iglesias’s missing production is directly linked to San Diego’s search for a right-handed bat at the deadline.

Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Starting Pitchers

Michael King – B

King’s highly anticipated second season in the brown and gold was cut down by a shoulder injury. However, after a shaky Opening Day start, King was strong. He finished his first half with a 2.59 ERA over just 10 starts. That stint included a complete game shutout of the Rockies. His return is expected in August, and he should add some much-needed swing-and-miss to the rotation. Although some of his underlying metrics were down, a major cause was his active experimentation with a revamped approach to his four-seam fastball, which surrendered a .707 SLG.

Dylan Cease – D+

Following a strong first year in San Diego, Cease entered his contract year in 2025. However, he’s done himself far more harm than good this year. He’s posting a 4.88 ERA, which ranks seventh-worst among qualified starting pitchers. His signature slider has fluctuated in terms of efficiency, and it’s hurt his overall value. Despite improvements in chase and whiff rates, opponents have knocked him up for 15 home runs. His 3.66 expected ERA suggests that he’s been hit hard in unlucky spots, but regardless, his value is far lower now than it was to begin the year.

Nick Pivetta – A+

Signed late during Spring Training, Pivetta slotted into the Padres’ fourth starter role. Few would have thought that he would lead San Diego pitchers in WAR and trail only Tatis Jr. and Machado in WAR team-wide. A wise move on the mound towards the 1st base side orchestrated by him and pitching coach Ruben Niebla has produced major success. His high-ride fastball and 12-6 curveball combination have kept hitters off balance all year. A great start yesterday lowered his season ERA all the way down to a stifling 2.88 heading into the break.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Randy Vasquez – B+

Vasquez has been an unsung hero for the Padres in the first half. He’s made every start, lowered his ERA by over a full run from 2024, and nearly eclipsed his inning total as well. In what has been a well-documented approach shift, Vasquez has accepted his identity of pitching to contact, and it’s worked for him. His sinker and sweeper have improved vastly, while his cutter and fastball have helped keep hitters off balance. Although he’s had issues with walks, he’s been incredible at stranding runners. Pitching to contact also has allowed him to pitch deeper into games.

Stephen Kolek – C

Stephen Kolek was converted from a reliever in Spring Training and competed for the final rotation spot. When he came up, he thrived in his first two starts against weak offenses. His second start was a complete game at Coors Field, a milestone not to be taken for granted. However, he pitched poorly in his next three and never really found his stride again. The potential is right in front of him, but some more minor league seasoning feels more reasonable than his role as a fifth starter. So, with Yu Darvish and Ryan Bergert returning, he returned to Triple-A.

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Ryan Bergert – A-

Bergert has been a pleasant surprise for San Diego so far. His fastball has shown lots of life, and his slider/sweeper combination has been strong. His 2.84 ERA over six starts and ten total appearances is impressive, especially considering the lineups he’s faced. Bergert has worked through the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Brewers on the mound already in his young career. At just 25 years old, his great start flashes mid-to-back-end starter potential for seasons to come, 

Credit: AP Photo

Relief Pitchers

Robert Suarez – B+

Robert Suarez is headed back to the All-Star game for the second straight year. He leads the NL in saves with 28, but holds a 3.54 ERA. While the ERA isn’t terrible, it isn’t where San Diego would like it to be. Nonetheless, he’s striking out 26.7% of hitters and only issuing walks 7.5% of the time. His changeup has developed massively, and he’s upped its usage by 11% from 2024. Even though his fastball has been hit harder, it’s normal for closers to go through some rough patches, especially a primarily two-pitch closer.

Adrian Morejon – A+

San Diego’s bullpen has had an incredible year collectively, and Morejon is a major reason why. The left-handed, starter-turned-reliever has taken a huge leap, posting a 1.85 ERA in the first half. He’s made 47 appearances, with the majority of them coming in the most crucial spots of the game. His two-seam fastball has been the workhorse for him, as he’s throwing it 58% of the time. The pitch surrendered just a .190 AVG and an 83.3 MPH average exit velocity. Morejon is headed off to his first All-Star Game, and rightfully so.

Jason Adam – A

Adam returned to a setup role in 2025, and he’s done an exceptional job once again. His arsenal of four above-average pitches has returned him an impressive 35.0% whiff rate. As a result, he’s posted a 1.70 ERA, which ranks top-15 among MLB relievers, and earned him his first All-Star appearance. His outings have been shakier, with his WHIP rising to 1.26. However, his strikeout ability has helped him control the traffic. Like Morejon, hitters haven’t been able to get on his fastball. His slider has also returned a monster 41.7% whiff rate. Both the stuff and mound presence are elite.

AP Photo

Jeremiah Estrada – A 

Estrada wasn’t named an All-Star, but he’s been incredible nonetheless. He’s posted another sub-3 ERA out of the bullpen, although he’s been more dominant than his ERA would suggest. Estrada’s “chitter”— a combination of a changeup and splitter— has been swung on 75 times in the first half. Of those 75 swings, 41 of them missed entirely. Twenty more of them were fouled off, and only four resulted in hits. Estrada’s offspeed pairing to his nearly-rising 98 MPH fastball has been dominant. All he needs to do to thrive is get ahead in the count. He’s done just that.

Wandy Peralta – B

Peralta is definitely a step down from the core four, but you could argue he’s been the Padres’ fifth-best arm out of the bullpen. The veteran southpaw still gets grounders well over 50% of the time, and has been tough to barrel up. His changeup still plays as an elite weapon, as its speed and late drop have opponents hitting just .197 against it, with an average launch angle of -4°. He’s been used in a multitude of situations, but has posted a respectable 3.61 ERA overall. Lastly, his availability has been crucial, as he’s made 42 appearances.

Yuki Matsui – D+

Matsui signed a five-year, $28M contract with the Padres in December of 2023. His first taste of the MLB went well in 2024, but he’s taken a step backward, posting a 5.05 ERA in 2025. Matsui still induces plenty of whiffs and chases, but struggles badly with walks. All of a sudden, he’s also getting hit hard now as well. His patented splitter barely got touched in 2024. In the first half, the pitch allowed a .519 SLG, with three homers and four doubles. He’ll need to improve his command if he wants to regain success with the splitter.

David Morgan – B+

Unranked on MLB.com’s list of San Diego’s top 30 prospects to begin the year, Morgan has shown he’s worthy of some hype. The right-hander topped out at 100.4 MPH, with his fastball averaging around 97-99 regularly. He’s proven so far that he doesn’t need an offspeed pitch, as both his breaking balls have thrived. His slider is returning a .150 AVG against, and his curveball has induced a 37.8% whiff rate. Morgan began his tenure pitching from behind, but as he’s progressed, he’s been given higher leverage situations. To his credit, he hasn’t wavered much in those spots.

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