Left-hander Adrián Morejón has just completed the strongest season of his major league career so far. From 2019 to 2023, he never pitched more than 35 innings in a season, but in 2024, he made 60 relief appearances, amassing 63 2/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA. His strikeout rate of 26.1%, walk rate of 7.7%, and ground ball rate of 51.4% were all better than league averages. He also made two appearances in the postseason.
Now, both Morejón and the Padres must determine his next step. Originally a highly regarded starting pitching prospect, Morejón signed with the Padres in 2016 for $11MM before the league imposed a hard cap on international spending. He was ranked among the top 100 prospects by Baseball America from 2017 to 2021, peaking at #52 in 2019.
However, his progress was hampered by injuries. He made his MLB debut in 2019 but missed time due to a shoulder issue. The pandemic-shortened 2020 season limited him further. In 2021, he underwent Tommy John surgery after just two starts. He returned in June 2022 but again dealt with shoulder inflammation, followed by more injuries in 2023, including an elbow sprain and knee inflammation. As a result, the Padres opted to keep him in a relief role this year, where he stayed healthy and excelled.
With the Padres’ bullpen potentially losing Tanner Scott to free agency, Morejón could remain a key lefty reliever in 2025. However, the team could also explore stretching him out as a starter, much like the White Sox did with Garrett Crochet, who successfully transitioned from a relief role to a strong starter in 2024.
In 2024, Morejón utilized a diverse mix of five pitches, suggesting he may still have the repertoire needed to return to the rotation. His sinker, slider, and four-seamer were his primary offerings, with occasional use of a splitter and sweeper. This balance helped him avoid extreme splits, with both lefties and righties posting similar offensive lines against him.
Financially, Morejón’s injuries have limited his earnings, despite his four-plus years of service time. After making $850K in 2024, he’s projected to earn $1.8MM in arbitration for 2025, a modest increase. The Padres, who are facing payroll constraints, could benefit from transitioning Morejón to the rotation rather than spending on a free-agent starter.
With Joe Musgrove sidelined for 2025 due to Tommy John surgery, and question marks surrounding the back end of the rotation, the Padres are in need of starting pitching. If Morejón can successfully make the switch, it would be a cost-effective solution. However, the risk of further injury remains, and the Padres must weigh this against their other offseason priorities, which include bolstering both their rotation and lineup amidst budget challenges.
