Pivetta’s Pitch: From Red sox Exit to Padres Ace?
San Diego Padres fans initially reacted with surprise when the team signed starting pitcher Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million free agent deal. Now, the narrative has shifted: Pivetta is rapidly becoming a key component of the Padres’ starting rotation.
A Fresh Start in San Diego
After a decade in the major leagues, Pivetta sought a change. While he’s made 186 career starts, he only has two double-digit winning seasons to his name.Becoming a free agent offered him the opportunity to choose an organization that aligned with his goals.
- The Departure: Pivetta’s exit from the Boston Red Sox wasn’t widely anticipated.
- Red Sox Focus: Boston prioritized securing Garrett Crochet, acquired from the Chicago white Sox, as their No. 1 starter,making Pivetta’s future uncertain.
- Mutual Interest: Pivetta’s free agency attracted interest from multiple teams.
The Padres, however, presented the most compelling opportunity. The front office was honest about how they intended to utilize him in the rotation.
This transparency proved decisive.
the Pivetta effect: Early Success
Pivetta’s early-season performance hinges on the effective execution of his pitching arsenal. His repertoire is anchored by the four-seam fastball, which he throws 51% of the time, followed by his sweeper at 19%.
Under the guidance of Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla, Pivetta is expanding his arsenal. He’s strategically incorporating his curveball (17%), slider (8%), cutter (6%), and sinker (2%) more frequently, particularly during the second time through the batting order. This variation is key to becoming an effective starting pitcher.
The results speak for themselves: Pivetta boasts a 5-1 record with a 3.05 ERA in eight starts. Opposing hitters are batting just .205 against him, managing only 33 hits in 44.1 innings pitched. Furthermore, he’s striking out batters at an notable rate of 27.7%.
All-Star Potential and future Outlook
Pivetta’s performance is placing him in All-Star Game consideration. His contributions have been invaluable to the Padres’ early-season success. The key is to keep hitters guessing by effectively utilizing his entire pitching repertoire.
Results of this nature will put you in the conversation of an all-Star Game selection.He has been invaluable to the Padres early-season success. The hope is to keep hitters guessing, which is achieved by effectively using yoru entire pitching repertoire.
An MLB Analyst
Pivetta’s decision to bet on himself is paying dividends. The 2025 season will be a crucial test of his sustained success with the Padres.
