When the San Diego Padres took the field on July 17, 2019, rookie Chris Paddack attempted to end the team’s half century-long no-hitter drought.
In a rematch with the Miami Marlins, he went seven innings without allowing a hit before giving up a solo home run to Starlin Castro to start the eighth inning. His 8 innings of work yielded just one hit and one run, leading to a 3-2 victory.
When the Miami Marlins drafted Paddack as an amateur in 2015, he was selected in the eighth round; however, he was traded to the San Diego Padres the following year for closer Fernando Rodney.
With an arm injury, he missed the entire 2017 season. With the Class A Lake Elsinore Storm and the Class A San Antonio Missions, he compiled a 7-3, 2.10 record in 17 appearances.
Prior to 2019, he was viewed as one of the top minor league pitching prospects, but his lack of professional experience led many to believe he would begin the season in the minors.
Even so, he made the team’s Opening Day roster and proved to be one of the team’s most reliable starters throughout spring training.
They were careful not to overwork him, and even optioned him back to Class A (where he didn’t throw) for 10 days in order to keep his workload under control.
To wrap up his rookie campaign, his final record was 9-7, 3.33 in 26 starts, and 140 2/3 innings pitched.
How Old Is Chris Paddack?
Chris Paddack is 26 years old. He was born on January 8, 1996.