Fantasy baseball: San Diego Padres 2020 fantasy preview

2020 San Diego Padres projected starting rotation

Chris Paddack, RHP (9-7, 3.33 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 153 K in 140.2 IP)
Garrett Richards, RHP (0-1, 8.31 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 11 K in 8.2 IP)
Zach Davies, RHP (10-7, 3.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 102 K in 159.2 IP with MIL)
Joey Lucchesi, LHP (10-10, 4.18 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 158 K in 163.2 IP)
Dinelson Lamet, RHP (3-5, 4.07 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 105 K in 73 IP)
Kirby Yates, RHP (0-5, 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 101 K 41/44 saves in 60.2 IP)

Paddack was as-advertised last year and should have a similarly strong season this year. The great WHIP and high K rate might make him the ace of some fantasy rotations. I prefer him as a number two, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he winds up being my best pitcher. You are likely going to have to use a third round pick to get Paddack if you want him. Only do it if you’re comfortable that you can find late power.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Lamet is the second Padre pitcher off the board. His strikeout rate is phenomenal. He may not go more than six innings, but he’s a constant threat for double-digit strikeout totals. The ERA is a little high, but Lamet has shown signs of dominance. I really like him as my fourth starter. Maybe even third depending on how the draft goes.

Richards was rusty in his first three starts back from Tommy John surgery, and that may be the case again. However, if you look at his career numbers, he can be a solid back of the rotation guy if you’re willing to wait out his poor starts. He’s worth a later round pick. So is Davies. His stock in only low because of the higher WHIP and lack of strikeouts.

Can it all come together for Lucchesi? The buzz is still enough on him that I doubt he drops all that far, so he probably wont wind up on many of my teams. However, Lucchesi has the upside to be a solid middle of your rotation starter. Don’t pay that for him though. Only take Lucchesi if he goes cheap. I’ve seen both happen with him in mocks so far.

Yates was one of the best closers for fantasy last year. Be prepared to pay the price. He racks up a ton of strikeouts and rarely blows a save. He has only blown four in 57 tries as a full time closer. The Padres are going to be a much better team. He has an outside shot at 50 saves!

Prospects to watch:

The Padres rotation looks really solid, but there are also quite a few pitchers on the way through the minors that could slot in if anyone gets hurt. Mackenzie Gore likely wont arrive until September, but Roland Bolanos and Adrian Morejon could be up before then. None have had all that good of stats at AAA or in brief major league stints. However, take those AAA stats with a grain of salt. The PCL is a lethal offensive league.

There are 22 more of these where this came from! Sports may be on hold, but we will have baseball sometime this season. We here at FanSided Fantasy are going to make sure you’re prepared!