Here’s exactly what the Padres are getting in Mike Clevinger (Video)

The gem of the trade deadline made his first start as a San Diego Padre on Thursday

Mike Clevinger had to get out of Cleveland. As often as that statement has been made for other reasons, Clevinger’s escape was completely of his own doing. The former Indians pitcher angered the Cleveland clubhouse when he and Zach Plesac broke COVID-19 protocol to celebrate a couple good starts in Chicago. That anger wasn’t misplaced, especially with cancer survivor Carlos Carrasco on that same pitching staff.

All things considered, Cleveland got a pretty nice haul from the Padres for Clevinger. From the opposite viewpoint, however, San Diego’s rotation now features a three-headed monster in Clevinger, Chris Paddack and Dinelson Lamet. Those three can go up against pretty much any NL contender, and they might have to should this Padres team meet the expectations of ownership and GM AJ Preller.

What exactly makes Clevinger elite?

Clevinger has some of the best pitch sequencing in the majors, and with Austin Nola and Jason Castro now in the fold, opposing hitters are in for a near-impossible task against a pitcher with the selection Clevinger has in his arsenal.

Yes, Clevinger went with a cutter to start things off, and then two straight sliders to poor Franklin Berreto, who never stood a chance.

This is just the beginning of Clevinger’s journey with the Padres. For a team looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2006, Preller and Co. hope their gamble pays off sooner rather than later.