Padres Bolster Rotation Depth with Kyle Hart Signing
The San Diego Padres strengthened their starting pitching depth on Thursday, signing veteran lefty Kyle Hart to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. Hart, who earned the Korean version of the Cy Young Award last season, brings valuable experience and proven success to the Padres’ rotation mix.
Hart, 32, spent the 2024 season pitching for the NC Dinos in the Korea Baseball institution (KBO) where he dominated, posting a 2.69 ERA with 182 strikeouts and just 38 walks over 157 innings. His impressive performance earned him the Choi dong-won Award, recognizing him as the leagueS top starting pitcher.
While Hart has limited Major League experience, appearing in just four games (three starts) for the Boston Red Sox in 2020, he believes he’s matured as a pitcher since then. He’s honed a sweeper pitch and lowered his arm slot, leading to significant improvements in his effectiveness. Hart expressed excitement about joining the Padres, citing their winning culture and the prospect to learn from pitching coach Ruben Niebla.
Hart’s arrival adds further depth to a Padres rotation that already boasts Dylan Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, and Nick Pivetta, pending a physical. Manager Mike Shildt indicated the team plans to utilize a five-man rotation initially, leaving Hart in competition with Matt Waldron and Randy Vásquez for the final spot.
General Manager A.J.preller emphasized the importance of rotation depth, stating, “Adding Kyle Hart gives us another starting pitching option. He’s left-handed and is a guy that made some adjustments in Korea last year. In general, we like the group we have here in our camp, but we know we’re always going to be looking for opportunity. Especially from a starting-pitching standpoint,we know we need a lot of options.”
While the Padres hope to finalize Pivetta’s signing soon, Preller hinted that further additions to the rotation mix are possible, particularly through non-roster invites.
How does Kyle Hart’s experience in the KBO translate to success in Major League Baseball, and what adjustments has he made to his pitching since his last MLB stint?
Padres Bolster Rotation Depth with Kyle Hart Signing
The San Diego Padres strengthened their starting pitching depth on Thursday, signing veteran lefty Kyle Hart to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. Hart, who earned the Korean version of the Cy Young Award last season, brings valuable experience and proven success to the Padres’ rotation mix.
Hart, 32, spent the 2024 season pitching for the NC Dinos in the Korea Baseball institution (KBO) where he dominated, posting a 2.69 ERA with 182 strikeouts and just 38 walks over 157 innings.His impressive performance earned him the choi dong-won Award, recognizing him as the leagueS top starting pitcher.
While Hart has limited Major League experience, appearing in just four games (three starts) for the Boston Red Sox in 2020, he believes he’s matured as a pitcher as then. He’s honed a sweeper pitch and lowered his arm slot, leading to meaningful improvements in his effectiveness. Hart expressed excitement about joining the Padres,citing their winning culture and the prospect to learn from pitching coach Ruben Niebla.
Hart’s arrival adds further depth to a Padres rotation that already boasts Dylan Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, and Nick Pivetta, pending a physical.Manager Mike Shildt indicated the team plans to utilize a five-man rotation initially, leaving Hart in competition with Matt Waldron and Randy Vásquez for the final spot.
General Manager A.J.preller emphasized the importance of rotation depth, stating, “Adding Kyle Hart gives us another starting pitching option. He’s left-handed and is a guy that made some adjustments in Korea last year. In general, we like the group we have here in our camp, but we know we’re always going to be looking for prospect. Especially from a starting-pitching standpoint,we certainly know we need a lot of options.”
While the Padres hope to finalize Pivetta’s signing soon, Preller hinted that further additions to the rotation mix are possible, particularly through non-roster invites.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kyle Hart’s Signing
1. Where did Kyle Hart play before joining the Padres?
Hart spent the 2024 season pitching for the NC Dinos in the Korean Baseball organization (KBO), where he earned the Choi Dong-won Award, recognizing him as the league’s top starting pitcher.
2. What are Hart’s strengths as a pitcher?
Hart boasts a strong strikeout rate, a low walk rate, and has developed a devastating sweeper pitch. As his last stint in Major League Baseball, he has also lowered his arm slot, leading to even greater effectiveness.
3. How does Hart fit into the Padres’ rotation?
Hart adds much-needed depth to the Padres’ starting pitching staff. While he’s competing with Matt Waldron and Randy Vásquez for the final rotation spot, he brings valuable experience and a proven track record of success, making him a strong contender.
For more insights into the Padres’ offseason moves and their strategy for the upcoming season, be sure to check out the full article: [link to original article]
